Luke 18:25
What does Luke 18:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:25 means
Jesus used a powerful hyperbole to illustrate the extreme difficulty of a rich person entering the Kingdom of God. The image of a camel passing through a needle's eye emphasizes the near impossibility of such an act without divine intervention. This vivid metaphor underscores that profound spiritual transformation, not mere human effort or relinquishment of wealth, is required. It's not about the size of the camel or the hole, but God's power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is simpler for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a man who has much money to come into the kingdom of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to enter, than for a rich man into the reign of God to enter.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for it is easier for a camel to enter through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom ofGod.
Context
This verse provides a memorable and often-quoted illustration that dramatically emphasizes the point Jesus made in verse 24. This hyperbole, following Jesus's general statement about the rich, solidifies the profound challenge of wealth. It provokes the disciples to question who then can be saved, setting up Jesus's answer about God's omnipotence.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 23:24
Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!
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