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{{Short description|Metaphor for an unthinkable thought in Abrahamic religions}} |
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'''The eye of a needle''' refers to a [[parable]] that [[Jesus]] is believed to have told. The story appears in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 19:23-24, [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 10:24-25 and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 18:24-25. |
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[[File:Nadeloehr.P1000481.jpg|thumb|Eye of a needle]] |
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[[File:Johann-Vogel-Meditationes-emblematicae-de-restaurata-pace-Germaniae MGG 1013.tif|thumb|A [[dromedary camel]] passing through the eye of a needle, as a symbol of the improbable [[Peace of Westphalia]]. Engraving, Johann Vogel: ''Meditationes emblematicae de restaurata pace Germaniae'', 1649.]] The term "'''eye of a needle'''" is used as a metaphor for a very narrow opening. It occurs several times throughout the [[Talmud]]. The [[New Testament]] quotes Jesus as saying in Luke 18:25 that "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 and the rich young man]]); This is repeated in the same words in Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25. It also appears in the [[Qur'an]] 7:40, "Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them – the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle. And thus do We recompense the criminals."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quran 7|url=https://m.clearquran.com/007.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=[[Clear Quran]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Безбожник у станка 142.jpg|thumb|Mocking the religious metaphor in Soviet atheist magazine [[Bezbozhnik u Stanka]], 1924]] |
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==Aphorisms== |
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In Matthew's Gospel, the parable is told like this: |
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===Judaism=== |
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The [[Babylonian Talmud]] applies the [[aphorism]] to unthinkable thoughts. To explain that dreams reveal the thoughts of a man's heart and are the product of reason rather than the absence of it, some [[rabbis]] say: |
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{{blockquote|They do not show a man a palm tree of gold, nor an elephant going through the eye of a needle.<ref>B.T. ''[[Berakhot (Talmud)|Berakhot]]'' 55b</ref>}} |
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According to the [[gospel]] writers, the parable was told after a rich young man who asked Jesus what he needed to do in order to inherit [[eternal life]]. Jesus, observing that the love of money had a hold on his life, replied that he should sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. The rich young man was unwilling to do this. When Jesus' disciples were astounded by his command, he told the parable in response. |
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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: |
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For a long time, it was believed that the parable referred a certain gate in [[Jerusalem]] called Needle's Eye, that was built so low that a camel could only pass if it entered kneeling and unencumbered with baggage. However, there is no historical evidence that such a gate ever existed, and the earliest reference to this notion dates back to the ninth century CE. Still, this is a common doctrine in some Christian religions. |
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{{blockquote|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.<ref name=camel>{{cite web|title='The camel and the eye of the needle', Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25|url=http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/camelneedle.htm|work=Hebrew New Testament Studies|access-date=21 June 2011}}</ref>}} |
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Rav [[Sheshet|Sheishet]] of [[Nehardea]] applied the same aphorism to the 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). |
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===Christianity=== |
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[[File:Dortmund, Bonifatius-Kirche, Eingang West.jpg|thumb|A church portal relief in Dortmund referencing Jesus's use of "camel through the eye of a needle" aphorism]] |
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{{main|Jesus and the rich young man}} |
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"The eye of a needle" is a portion of a quotation attributed to [[Jesus]] in the [[synoptic gospels]]: |
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| ⚫ | {{blockquote|"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.'<ref>{{bibleverse-lb||Matthew|19:23-26|NIV}} |
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Parallel versions appear in {{bibleverse-lb||Mark|10:24-27|NIV}}, and {{bibleverse-lb||Luke|18:24-27|NIV}}</ref>}} |
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The saying was a response to a [[Jesus and the rich young man|young rich man]] who had asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied that he should keep the commandments, which the man replied that he had done so. 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 that. Jesus then spoke that response, leaving his disciples astonished. |
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[[Cyril of Alexandria]] (fragment 219) claimed that "camel" was a Greek scribal typo where {{langx|grc-x-biblical|[[wikt:κάμηλος|κάμηλος]]|kámēlos|camel}} was written in place of {{langx|grc-x-biblical|[[wikt:κάμιλος|κάμιλος]]|kámilos|rope' or 'cable}}.<ref name=camel /><ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Akademie-Verlag| last = Reuss| first = Joseph| title = Matthäus-Kommentare aus der griechischen Kirche| location = Berlin| date = 1957 |page=226 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Matthew 14-28 |last=Simonetti |first=Manlio |date=2002 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-1469-5 |location=Downers Grove, Ill. |language=en |oclc=47443858 |quote=By “camel” here he means not the living thing, the beast of burden, but the thick rope to which sailors tie their anchors. He shows this comparison to be not entirely pointless (as a camel would be), but he makes it an exceedingly difficult matter; in fact, next to impossible.}}</ref> More recently, [[George Lamsa]], in his [[Lamsa Bible#Matthew 19:24|1933 translation of the Bible]] into English from the Syriac, claimed the same. |
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[[Arthur Schopenhauer]], in ''[[The World as Will and Representation]]'', Volume 1, § 68, quoted Matthew 19:24: "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."{{efn|Original German: {{lang|de|"Es ist leichter, daß ein Ankertau durch ein Nadelöhr gehe, denn daß ein Reicher ins Reich Gottes komme."}}}} |
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In modern times, the scripture has been used as a counterargument to the [[prosperity theology|prosperity gospel]], the belief that accruing wealth is a virtue favored by God.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Wealth, wages, and the wealthy: New testament insight for preachers and teachers |last=Collins |first=Raymond F. |publisher=Liturgical Press |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8146-8785-7 |location=Collegeville, Minnesota |page=282 |oclc=983796136}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Blessed: A history of the American prosperity gospel |last=Bowler |first=Kate |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-087673-9 |location=New York |page=9 |oclc=1005124050}}</ref> |
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====Gate==== |
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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 not pass through the smaller gate unless it was stooped and had its baggage removed. The story has been put forth since at least the 11th century and possibly as far back as the 9th century. However, there is no widely accepted evidence for the existence of such a gate.<ref name=Rozienkow>Егор Розенков, ''Верблюд и игольное ушко'' // Духовный вестник высшей школы, No. 8 (24), 01.09.2007</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last = Morris | first = Leon | title = The Gospel according to Matthew | publisher = [[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.]] Inter-Varsity Press |location=Grand Rapids, Michigan Leicester, England | year = 1992 | isbn=978-0-8511-1338-8 | page = 493 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ziemińska |first=Agnieszka |date=2022-06-09 |title=The Origin of the 'Needle's Eye Gate' Myth: Theophylact or Anselm? |journal=New Testament Studies |language=en |volume=68 |issue=3 |pages=358–361 |doi=10.1017/S0028688521000448 |s2cid=249523713 |issn=0028-6885|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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===Islam=== |
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According to the English interpretation of the [[Quran]]: |
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{{blockquote|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 can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward for those in sin.<ref>[http://quran.com/7/40 Al-Araf (The Heights) 7:40], [http://irebd.com/quran/english/surah-7/verse-40/ Quran Surah Al-A'raaf ( Verse 40 )]</ref>}} |
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The camel, in Arabic {{transl|ar|jamal}}, can also be translated as "twisted rope".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Asad|first=Muhammad|title=The Message of The Qur'án|title-link=The Message of The Qur'an|publisher=Dar al-Andalus Limited|year=1980|isbn=1904510000|location=Gibraltar, Spain|pages=|author-link=Muhammad Asad}} Footnote to the verse.</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Christian views on poverty and wealth]] |
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* [[Epistle of James]], 5:1-6 |
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* [[Cutwork]] |
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* [[Matthew 7:13]], about the broad gate and the narrow gate |
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* [[Simple living]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mrichman.html "What's the meaning of Jesus' teaching about the camel going through the eye of a needle?"] from ''[[The Straight Dope]]'' |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Eye Of A Needle}} |
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[[Category:Doctrines and teachings of Jesus]] |
[[Category:Doctrines and teachings of Jesus]] |
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[[Category:Biblical phrases]] |
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[[Category:Sewing]] |
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[[Category:Metaphors referring to objects]] |
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[[Category:Metaphors referring to animals]] |
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[[Category:Quranic words and phrases]] |
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[[Category:Animals in the Bible]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:17, 8 November 2024
The term "eye of a needle" is used as a metaphor for a very narrow opening. It occurs several times throughout the Talmud. The New Testament quotes Jesus as saying in Luke 18:25 that "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 and the rich young man); This is repeated in the same words in Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25. It also appears in the Qur'an 7:40, "Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them – the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle. And thus do We recompense the criminals."[1]
Aphorisms
[edit]Judaism
[edit]The Babylonian Talmud applies the aphorism to unthinkable thoughts. To explain that dreams reveal the thoughts of a man's heart and are 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.[2]
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.[3]
Rav Sheishet of Nehardea applied the same aphorism to the 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
[edit]
"The eye of a needle" is a portion of a quotation attributed to Jesus 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.'[4]
The saying was a response to a young rich man who had asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied that he should keep the commandments, which the man replied that he had done so. 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 that. Jesus then spoke that response, leaving his disciples astonished.
Cyril of Alexandria (fragment 219) claimed that "camel" was a Greek scribal typo where Biblical Greek: κάμηλος, romanized: kámēlos, lit. 'camel' was written in place of Biblical Greek: κάμιλος, romanized: kámilos, lit. 'rope' or 'cable'.[3][5][6] More recently, George Lamsa, in his 1933 translation of the Bible into English from the Syriac, claimed the same.
Arthur Schopenhauer, in The World as Will and Representation, Volume 1, § 68, quoted Matthew 19:24: "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."[a]
In modern times, the scripture has been used as a counterargument to the prosperity gospel, the belief that accruing wealth is a virtue favored by God.[7][8]
Gate
[edit]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 not pass through the smaller gate unless it was stooped and had its baggage removed. The story has been put forth since at least the 11th century and possibly as far back as the 9th century. However, there is no widely accepted evidence for the existence of such a gate.[9][10][11]
Islam
[edit]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 can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward for those in sin.[12]
The camel, in Arabic jamal, can also be translated as "twisted rope".[13]
See also
[edit]- Christian views on poverty and wealth
- Epistle of James, 5:1-6
- Cutwork
- Matthew 7:13, about the broad gate and the narrow gate
- Simple living
Notes
[edit]- ^ Original German: "Es ist leichter, daß ein Ankertau durch ein Nadelöhr gehe, denn daß ein Reicher ins Reich Gottes komme."
References
[edit]- ^ "Quran 7". Clear Quran. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ B.T. Berakhot 55b
- ^ a b "'The camel and the eye of the needle', Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25". Hebrew New Testament Studies. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Matthew 19:23–26 Parallel versions appear in Mark 10:24–27, and Luke 18:24–27
- ^ Reuss, Joseph (1957). Matthäus-Kommentare aus der griechischen Kirche (in German). Berlin: Akademie-Verlag. p. 226.
- ^ Simonetti, Manlio (2002). Matthew 14-28. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0-8308-1469-5. OCLC 47443858.
By "camel" here he means not the living thing, the beast of burden, but the thick rope to which sailors tie their anchors. He shows this comparison to be not entirely pointless (as a camel would be), but he makes it an exceedingly difficult matter; in fact, next to impossible.
- ^ Collins, Raymond F. (2017). Wealth, wages, and the wealthy: New testament insight for preachers and teachers. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-8146-8785-7. OCLC 983796136.
- ^ Bowler, Kate (2013). Blessed: A history of the American prosperity gospel. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-19-087673-9. OCLC 1005124050.
- ^ Егор Розенков, Верблюд и игольное ушко // Духовный вестник высшей школы, No. 8 (24), 01.09.2007
- ^ Morris, Leon (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan Leicester, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Inter-Varsity Press. p. 493. ISBN 978-0-8511-1338-8.
- ^ Ziemińska, Agnieszka (2022-06-09). "The Origin of the 'Needle's Eye Gate' Myth: Theophylact or Anselm?". New Testament Studies. 68 (3): 358–361. doi:10.1017/S0028688521000448. ISSN 0028-6885. S2CID 249523713.
- ^ Al-Araf (The Heights) 7:40, Quran Surah Al-A'raaf ( Verse 40 )
- ^ Asad, Muhammad (1980). The Message of The Qur'án. Gibraltar, Spain: Dar al-Andalus Limited. ISBN 1904510000. Footnote to the verse.