The Camel And The Needle’S Eye
THE CAMEL AND THE NEEDLE’S EYE
MATTHEW 19:23-30
Jesus vividly illustrates the impossibility of a rich person entering the kingdom.
Our Lord’s assurance that “it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (19:23) is rarely taken seriously, despite the solemnity with which it is introduced. Even at the time he found it necessary to drive it home by means of a vivid metaphor (paralleled in rabbinical teaching), and we must not make it a little easier for the rich man by supposing that the “needle’s eye” is a small gate within the large city gate or that he meant “cable” and not “camel.” The disciples’ surprised question (19:25) may have been prompted by their remembrance that in much of the Old Testament riches are a reward for piety and a token of divine blessing (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 128, by contrast with those later texts in which “poor” and “righteous” are almost synonymous). Entry into the kingdom is difficult for all, but especially for those attached to material encumbrances: only with divine aid can it be achieved (19:26). But the apostles had given up all such things to follow Jesus: for them not only entry into the kingdom but high responsibility in the kingdom was reserved. The reference to “twelve thrones” in 19:28, which must not be dissociated from the lesson of 18:1-4 and 20:25-28, implies the establishment of the believing community or “Israel of God” (cf. Galatians 6:16) in the “new world” or “regeneration” (to be inaugurated by Jesus’ death and resurrection)—the “Church” of 16:18—in which the apostles would exercise the authority promised in 16:19; 18:18. For this use of “the twelve tribes” cf. James 1:1; see also Luke 22:28-30. The number of the apostles (cf. 10:1f.) is significant in this regard. For the Son of Man’s “glorious throne” cf. 25:31.
Moreover, all (not only the apostles) who gave up possessions and earthly ties for Jesus’ sake would “inherit eternal life” and be abundantly recompensed—though the recompense was not one which by worldly reckoning would make the sacrifice worthwhile. The assessment in the light of the coming Day is implied here, as it is expressed in 16:25-27: then it will be seen that the first (by secular standards) are last (by the standards of the kingdom) and vice versa (cf. 20:16).