Luke 18:25-27

18:25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle ¹  than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 18:26 Those who heard this said, “Then ²  who can be saved?” ³  18:27 He replied, “What is impossible ⁴  for mere humans ⁵  is possible for God.”

[18:25]  ¹ sn The eye of a needle refers to a sewing needle, one of the smallest items one might deal with on a regular basis, in contrast to the biggest animal of the region. (The gate in Jerusalem known as “The Needle’s Eye” was built during the middle ages and was not in existence in Jesus’ day.) Jesus is saying rhetorically that this is impossible, unless God (v. 27) intervenes.

[18:26]  ² tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of thought.

[18:26]  ³ sn The assumption is that the rich are blessed, so if they risk exclusion, who is left to be saved?

[18:27]  ⁴ sn The term impossible is in the emphatic position in the Greek text. God makes the impossible possible.

[18:27]  ⁵ tn The plural Greek term ἄνθρωποις (anqrwpois) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. NASB 1995 update, “people”). Because of the contrast here between mere mortals and God (“impossible for men…possible for God”) the phrase “mere humans” has been used in the translation.