This saying you’re referring to comes from the teachings of Jesus, specifically found in the Gospels. In Matthew 19:24, it is recorded, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” This vivid imagery employed by Jesus serves to illustrate a profound spiritual truth, emphasizing the difficulty that wealth can pose on one’s spiritual journey.

The “eye of a needle” in this context is often understood to be a metaphor, conveying the idea of a very small or narrow opening. The comparison to a camel, a large animal, attempting to pass through such a small opening, starkly highlights the near impossibility of the feat.

The core of this teaching lies in the recognition that wealth and material possessions can easily become a primary focus in one’s life, overshadowing the pursuit of spiritual growth and the values of the kingdom of God, such as love, mercy, and humility. It’s not the wealth itself that is problematic but rather the attachment and priority it can assume in a person’s life. Wealth can lead to a false sense of self-sufficiency, pride, and independence from God.

Jesus’s message invites a reflection on one’s priorities and the challenge of ensuring that the pursuit of material wealth does not become an obstacle to entering the kingdom of God. It’s a call to trust in God and seek His righteousness above all else, as echoed in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

In the broader context of the Gospel, this teaching also aligns with Jesus’s call for radical discipleship, which often requires difficult choices and priorities that may seem counterintuitive from a worldly perspective. It’s an encouragement to rely not on worldly wealth or status but on the grace and provision of God.