Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 19:24

"And again I say unto you, 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." — Matthew 19:24 (ASV)

It is easier for a camel, etc. This was a proverb in common use among the Jews and is still common among the Arabians. To denote that something was impossible or exceedingly difficult, they said a camel or an elephant could as easily walk through a needle's eye. In using such proverbs, it is not necessary to understand them literally, but only to recognize the extreme difficulty of the situation.

A camel. This is a beast of burden, widely used in eastern countries. It is about the size of the largest ox, with one or two humps on its back, a long neck and legs, no horns, and feet adapted to the hot, dry sand. Camels are capable of carrying heavy burdens, can sometimes travel faster than the fastest horse, and are provided with a stomach that they fill with water, enabling them to live for four or five days without drinking. They are very mild and tame, and they kneel to receive and unload their burdens. They are primarily used in deserts and hot climates, where other beasts of burden are kept alive only with difficulty.

A rich man. This term rather means one who loves his riches and makes an idol of them, or one who supremely desires to be rich. Mark says, them that trust in riches. While a person has this feeling, it is literally impossible that they can be a Christian.

For religion is the love of God rather than the world, and the love of Jesus and His cause more than gold. Still, a person may have much property and not have this feeling. They may have great wealth and love God more, just as a poor person may have little and love that little more than God. The difficulties in the way of salvation for a rich person are:

1. Riches engross the affections.

2. People consider wealth as the chief good; and when this is obtained, they think they have gained all.

3. They are proud of their wealth and unwilling to be numbered with the poor and despised followers of Jesus.

4. Riches engross the time, and fill the mind with cares and anxieties, and leave little for God.

5. They often produce luxury, dissipation, and vice.

6. It is difficult to obtain wealth without sin, or without avarice, and covetousness, and fraud, and oppression (1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17; James 5:1–6; Luke 12:16–21; Luke 16:19–31).

Still, Jesus says in Matthew 19:26 that all these difficulties may be overcome. God can give grace to do it. Though to men it may appear impossible, it is nonetheless easy for God.