Answer: Although the scriptural context is clear — Jesus was warning His followers not to put their trust in riches — the question is puzzling. What exactly was Jesus saying? Some have believed that the phrase eye of the needle refers to the name of a small gate into a city through which camels had to kneel to enter. A number of Bible resources show that this interpretation is incorrect. Here is what one representative resource says: “Jesus’ words [in Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25] that it is easier for a rich man to enter heaven than ‘for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,’ reflect an idea found in early rabbinic writing. There is no archaeological or historical support for the common idea that the ‘needle’s eye’ was a small pedestrian gate through the city wall. The statement simply means that humanly speaking, this is an impossible thing. Only a divine miracle can make it possible” (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1986, “Tools of the Bible”).
It appears that Christ’s words must be taken literally. Just as it is impossible for a camel to go through the tiny eye of a needle, it is equally impossible for those who trust in riches, instead of God, to enter the Kingdom of God.