Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25. It is easier for a camel ] This figure has been variously interpreted. ( a) Some have rendered it an “anchor-rope,” as though the word was “ kamilon ” and not “ kamelon; ” ( b) others think it refers to the side gate for foot passengers, close by the principal gate, called in the East the “eye of a needle;” but ( c) it is best to understand the words literally. Similar proverbs are common in the Talmud.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It is easier for a camel,…. [See comments on Mt 19:24].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Needle’s eye ( ). See on Mt 19:24 for discussion. Luke uses the surgical needle, . Matthew has the word like Mark from , to sew, and it appears in the papyri. Both Matthew and Luke employ for eye, a perforation or hole from , to bore. Mark’s word is from , to wear away, to perforate. In the LXX and Plutarch.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Needle [] . A word stigmatized by the grammarians as unclassical. One of them (Phrynichus) says, “As for rJafiv, nobody would know what it is.” Matthew also uses it. See on Mt 19:24. Luke uses, belonhv, the surgical needle. See on Luk 18:25.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “It is easier for a camel,” (eukopoteron estin kamelon) “It is an easier thing for a camel,” a dromedary, a humpbacked horse-like, unclean animal, Lev 11:4; Deu 14:7.
2) “To go through the eye of a needle,” (dia tes trumalias tes hraphidos dielthein) ”To pass through the eye of a needle,” a proverb among the Arabs even today, expressing an impossibility.
3) “Than for a rich man,” (e plousion) “Than for a man who is rich,” that is “who trusts in riches,” or holds on to riches, Mar 10:24; 1Ti 6:10-11; 1Ti 6:17-19.
4) “To enter into the kingdom of God.” (eis ten basileian tou theou) “To enter into the kingdom of God of their own will, volition, or choice,” both to be saved and to enter into obedient service to Jesus in the church, Luk 9:23.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mar 10:25. A camel Or, A cable. See on Mat 19:24.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Ver. 25. See Trapp on “ Mat 19:24 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mar 10:25 . In this proverbial saying the evangelists vary in expression in reference to the needle and the needle-eye, though one might have looked for stereotyped phraseology in a proverb. The fact points to different Greek renderings of a saying originally given in a Semitic tongue. , from , to rub through, so as to make a hole. According to Furrer, proverbs about the camel and the needle-eye, to express the impossible, are still current among the Arabs. e.g. , “hypocrites go into paradise as easily as a camel through a needle-eye”; “He asks of people that they conduct a camel through a needle-eye” ( Wanderungen , p. 339).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
It is easier, &c. See notes on Mat 19:24.
through. Greek. dia. App-104. Mar 10:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
eye of
It has been thought the reference here was to a postern door set in a gate of Jerusalem.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Jer 13:23, Mat 7:3-5, Mat 19:24, Mat 19:25, Mat 23:24, Luk 18:25
Reciprocal: Mat 5:20 – ye Act 14:22 – enter
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
This needle is explained in the comments cited in verse 23.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
One writer paraphrased Jesus’ proverb as follows.
"It is easier to thread a needle with a great big camel than to get into the kingdom of God when you are bursting with riches." [Note: Moule, p. 80.]
The camel was the largest beast of burden in Palestine. The needle Jesus referred to was a common sewing needle (Gr. hraphis). The disciples reacted with amazement because they thought that wealth indicated righteousness (cf. Job, Abraham, Solomon).