Matthew 19:24

Camel. Jesus deals with a human impossibility, as He clearly states (see v. 26). The truth stated is precisely the opposite of what men, even the disciples, believed (see on v. 25). The Pharisees thought and taught that riches constitute an evidence of divine favor (see on Luke 16:14). When Jesus discussed riches upon this occasion, He may have had Judas particularly in mind — Judas, whom love of money was soon to conquer (see John 12:6; 13:29). The problem of Judas was fundamentally the same as that of the rich young ruler (see on Mark 3:19).

Eye of a needle. The explanation that the “eye of a needle” refers to a smaller gate cut in the panel of a large city gate, through which men might pass when the large gate was closed to major traffic, originated in the centuries after Christ’s day. There is, therefore, no valid basis for such an explanation, plausible though it may appear. Jesus is dealing with impossibilities (v. 26), and there is no point in contriving an explanation by which to render possible what Jesus specifically points out as impossible.

Than for a rich man. See on Luke 12:15, 21. In happy contrast with the usual possessor of riches, Matthew forsook riches in order that he might follow the Master (see on Mark 2:13, 14), and Zacchaeus, another wealthy tax collector, transferred his affections from riches to Jesus (see on Luke 19:2, 8).