The eye of a needle is the part of a sewing needle formed into a loop for pulling thread, located at the end opposite from the point. These loops are often in the shape of an eye.
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Aphorisms
Judaism
The Babylonian Talmud applies the aphorism to unthinkable thoughts. To explain that dreams reveal the thoughts of a man's heart, the product of reason rather than the absence of it, some rabbis say:
- They do not show a man a palm tree of gold, nor an elephant going through the eye of a needle.
A Midrash on the Song of Songs uses the phrase to speak of God's willingness and ability beyond comparison, to accomplish the salvation of a sinner:
- The Holy One said, open for me a door as big as a needle's eye and I will open for you a door through which may enter tents and [camels?].
Rav Sheishet of Nehardea applies the same aphorism to the convoluted reasoning for which the sages of Pumbedita were evidently famous: "Are you from Pumbedita, where they push an elephant through the eye of a needle?" (Baba Metzia, 38b).
Christianity
"The eye of a needle" is scripture quoting Jesus recorded in the synoptic gospels:
- I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?†Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.†Matthew 19:23-26
Parallel versions appear in Mark 10:24-27, and Luke 18:24-27.
The saying was a response to a young rich man who had asked Jesus what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied that he should keep the commandments, to which the man stated he had done. Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The young man became sad and was unwilling to do this. Jesus then spoke this response, leaving his disciples astonished.
Cyril of Alexandria claimed that "camel" is a Greek misspelling; that kamêlos (camel) was a written in place of kamilos, meaning "rope" or "cable".
Schopenhauer, in The World as Will and Representation, Volume 1, § 68, quoted Matthew 19:24. "Es ist leichter, daß ein Ankertau durch ein Nadelöhr gehe, denn daß ein Reicher ins Reich Gottes komme." This is translated into English as "It is easier for an anchor cable to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich person to come to God’s kingdom."
Gate
The "Eye of the Needle" has been claimed to be a gate in Jerusalem, which opened after the main gate was closed at night. A camel could only pass through this smaller gate if it was stooped and had its baggage removed. This story has been put forth since at least the 15th century, and possibly as far back as the 9th century. However, there is no widely accepted evidence for the existence of such a gate.
Islam
According to the English interpretation of the Quran:
- To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the garden, until the camel [or cable] can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward for those in sin.
See also
- Christian views on poverty and wealth
- Eyelet
- Simple living
References
"Through the eye of a needle." are the first words in The Aglet Song in Phineas and Ferb Episode "Tip of the Day".
External links
- "What's the meaning of Jesus' teaching about the camel going through the eye of a needle?" from The Straight Dope
- Tampa Christian Singles quotes this scripture on their website.
