Luke 18:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

NIV: Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

NASB: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!'

CSB: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

NLT: In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!'

KJV: For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

NKJV: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus puts a finer point on His previous comment: "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). This was stated in response to a wealthy young man who asked how to inherit eternal life. He is a good man: good to other people and obedient to God's commands. Or so it seems: to show that earthly goodness is not enough, Jesus challenges the man to sell all his possessions and give everything to the poor and come follow Him (Luke 18:18–22). "Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (Mark 10:22).

The kingdom of God is any place and situation where God's authority, sovereignty, and majesty is manifest. It's the repentant tax collector (Luke 18:13–14) and the powerless children (Luke 18:16–17) and the bold, blind beggar (Luke 18:35–38). In general, those who are rich rely on the power of their wealth, not God. There are exceptions, of course, but the powerless who cannot depend on money are more likely to realize they have to trust God.

This young man has another hurdle. In the culture, it is assumed that if someone is rich, it is because he pleases God. So, this man is being asked to do more than lay down his wealth. He's also being told to give up his public reputation as a good man blessed by God. The fear of losing his wealth overrides the man's desire to follow Christ.

The crowd is incredulous; they ask, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus gives them the answer: "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:26–27). It is always God's mercy that saves, never our works. We are not redeemed by being good, or making sacrifices, but by God's grace, through our faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10).

There is much debate about whether the "eye" the camel must fit through is a small gate next to a larger city gate or whether it's really the hole on one end of the needle. Both have applications. A smaller gate affirms that some rich people do enter God's kingdom. The eye of a literal needle shows it is only through God's grace. Either way, the point is that a person cannot cling to earthly things—such as money—and still be invested in the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:18–27 introduces the counter example to the powerless, trusting children of Luke 18:15–17. This instance also contrasts with the sacrificial disciples of Luke 18:28–30. The children have nothing to cling to and readily receive God's kingdom. The rich man in this section cannot muster such dependent faith. He wants eternal life but doesn't know if it's worth sacrificing worldly comforts. Conversely, the disciples have given up their place in the world in hopes of something better. This story is also found in Matthew 19:16–22 and Mark 10:17–22.

Luke 18 approaches the end of Jesus' "travelogue" to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27). Luke has selected miracles, teachings, and events to show how Jesus trained His disciples. His emphasis was explaining the kingdom of God in preparation for their work to build the church. Luke 18 includes several contrasts between those who understand God's kingdom and those who don't. Luke 19 includes the story of Zacchaeus and another parable before Jesus' triumphal entry and the Passion Week. These stories are also found primarily in Matthew 19—20 and Mark 10.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.