A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 18:25

"For 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." — Luke 18:25 (ASV)

Through a needle's eye (δια τρηματος βελονης). Both words are old. Τρημα means a perforation or hole or eye and in the N.T. only here and Mt 19:24. Βελονη means originally the point of a spear and then a surgeon's needle. Here only in the N.T. Mr 10:25; Matthew 19:24 have ραφιδος for needle. This is probably a current proverb for the impossible. The Talmud twice speaks of an elephant passing through the eye of a needle as being impossible.