King James Version

What Does Luke 18:25 Mean?

Luke 18:25 in the King James Version says “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.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 18:25 · KJV

Context

23

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25

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.

26

And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

27

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Read Luke 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Jesus uses vivid, absurd imagery. Eukopōteron gar estin kamēlon dia trēmatos belonēs eiselthein (εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστιν κάμηλον διὰ τρήματος βελόνης εἰσελθεῖν)—'it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye.' Kamēlos (κάμηλος) is the largest animal in Palestine; belonē (βελόνη) is a sewing needle with tiny eye.

This is deliberate hyperbole showing impossibility. Some claim 'needle's eye' was a narrow Jerusalem gate requiring camels to kneel, but this misses the point: Jesus describes the impossible. The disciples correctly respond, 'Who then can be saved?' (v. 26). Jesus answers: 'Things impossible with men are possible with God' (v. 27). Salvation—for rich or poor—requires divine miracle, not human achievement. Wealth simply makes the impossibility more visible.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's audience, accustomed to viewing wealth as divine blessing, found this teaching devastating. If the rich—seemingly most blessed by God—can barely be saved, who can? Jesus exposes wealth's spiritual danger while pointing to salvation's true source: God's power, not human effort. The rich young ruler exemplified humanity's universal problem: inability to save ourselves. His wealth merely made the diagnosis obvious. All people—rich and poor—need divine grace to enter God's kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the camel/needle imagery reveal about salvation as divine miracle rather than human achievement?
  2. How do the disciples' question ('Who then can be saved?') and Jesus's answer ('With God all things are possible') transform understanding of salvation?
  3. In what ways does wealth make humanity's universal inability to save itself more visible rather than creating a unique problem?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
εὐκοπώτερον1 of 16

“easier”

G2123

better for toil, i.e., more facile

γάρ2 of 16

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐστιν3 of 16

“it is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

κάμηλον4 of 16

“for a camel”

G2574

a "camel"

διὰ5 of 16

“through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τρυμαλιᾶς6 of 16

“eye”

G5168

an orifice, i.e., needle's eye

ῥαφίδος7 of 16

“a needle's”

G4476

a needle

εἰσελθεῖν8 of 16

“to enter”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

ἢ9 of 16

“than”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

πλούσιον10 of 16

“for a rich man”

G4145

wealthy; figuratively, abounding with

εἰς11 of 16

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν12 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείαν13 of 16

“the kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ14 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ15 of 16

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εἰσελθεῖν16 of 16

“to enter”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 18:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 18:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 23:24

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