"...who can make an elephant pass through the eye of a needle." (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Mezi'a, 38b)
In this case, the illustration concerns a dispute between two rabbis; one of whom suggests that the other is
speaking "things which are impossible".
The camel was the largest animal seen regularly in Israel; whereas in regions where the Babylonian Talmud
was written, the elephant was the biggest animal. Thus the aphorism is culturally translated from a camel to
an elephant in regions outside of Israel.
Therefore, the aim is not to explain away the paradox and make the needle a huge carpet needle; for
elsewhere, the Jewish writings use the "eye of the needle" as a picture of a very small place: "A needle's eye
is not too narrow for two friends, but the world is not wide enough for two enemies." (Source not traced but
cf. Midrash Rabbah, Genesis 1.3.) The ludicrous contrast between the small size of the needle's eye and the
largest indigenous animal is to be preserved for its very improbability.
Y‘shua‘s hearers believed that wealth and prosperity were a sign of YHWH's blessing (cf. Leviticus and
Deuteronomy). So their incredulity is more along the lines that, "if the rich, who must be seen as righteous by
YHWH by dint of their evident blessing can't be saved, who can be?‖ Later Christians have turned this
around to portray wealth as a hindrance to salvation, which it can be – but no more so than many other
things, when the message is that salvation is impossible for all men; for it comes from YHWH alone.
But beyond impossibility is possibility with YHWH, for elsewhere a Jewish Midrash records:
"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?]" (Midrash Rabbah, The Song of Songs, 5.3; cf. Pesiqta R., 15, ed.
Friedmann, p.70a; Soncino Zohar, Vayikra 3, p95a). In other words, YHWH only needs the sinner to open up
just a crack for him; and YHWH will come pouring in and set up room for an oasis. YHWH only needs a 'foot
in the door', so to speak.
This is similar to the Talmudic use of two Hebrew letters: one which represents YHWH‘s holiness ('Q' Qoph,
as in qadôsh 'holy'); and another representing evil ('R' Resh, as in ra' 'evil') in a story told for the purpose of
teaching the Hebrew alphabet and Jewish morals. It is said that 'q' has a separated opening in order that,
should 'r' repent, he may enter into YHWH's holiness through the small opening.
Here Y‘shua reflects on how hard it often is for the rich to enter the kingdom of YHWH. The riches are a
distraction and hard to share if one is too attached to them. The disciples' incredulity is that, if even the rich
cannot be saved, who can? But the verdict is that even the rich (not only the rich) will find it impossible to
save themselves – but with YHWH all things are possible.
Notes:
13 There was a rich man named Onesiphorus who said: If I believe, shall I be able to do wonders?
Andrew said: Yes, if you forsake your wife and all your possessions. He was angry and put his garment
about Andrew's neck and began to beat him, saying: You are a wizard, why should I do so?
14 Peter saw it and told him to leave off. He said: I see you are wiser than he. What do you say? Peter
said: I tell you this: it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God. Onesiphorus was yet more angry and took his garment off Andrew's neck and cast it on
Peter's and haled him along, saying: You are worse than the other. If you show me this sign, the whole city
and I will believe but if not you shall be punished.
15 Peter was troubled and stood and prayed: Lord, help us at this hour, for thou hast entrapped us by
thy words.
16 The Saviour appeared in the form of a boy of twelve years, wearing a linen garment 'smooth within
and without', and said; Fear not: let the needle and the camel be brought. There was a huckster in the town
who had been converted by Philip; and he heard of it, and looked for a needle with a large eye, but Peter
said: Nothing is impossible with God rather bring a needle with a small eye.
17 When it was brought, Peter saw a camel coming and stuck the needle in the ground and cried: In the
name of Jesus Christ crucified under Pontius Pilate I command thee, camel, to go through the eye of the
needle. The eye opened like a gate and the camel passed through; and yet again, at Peter's bidding.
18 Onesiphorus said: You are a great sorcerer: but I shall not believe unless I may send for a needle
and a camel. And he said secretly to a servant: Bring a camel and a needle, and find a defiled woman and
some swine's flesh and bring them too. And Peter heard it in the spirit and said: O slow to believe, bring your
camel and woman and needle and flesh.