24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
When Jesus spoke of a camel and the eye of a needle He was not referring to a gate that had in it a small door that a man could get through and that a camel could get through only with great difficulty and with its load removed. There was no such gate at Jerusalem. Jesus was referring to a literal camel and a literal needle such as one would use to sew cloth or leather. In other words, Jesus was talking about something that was an utter impossibility, not just something that was difficult. Jesus means that even a rich man can not save himself. He can be saved only by the grace of God. And furthermore, no one is rich in material things when he leaves this world, and no one goes to heaven as a rich person, rich in money or material things. This is what Paul meant when he wrote to Timothy, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Tim. 6:7). Paul went on to admonish Timothy, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (I Timothy 6:17-19). “That they may lay hold on eternal life” means “that you will have something in heaven to hold on to.”