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#Bible scholars/#theology nerds/#theologians:
Question regarding the popular "eye of the needle" quote in all three Synoptic #Gospels:
Matthew 19:16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 19:18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.
Matthew 19:19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 19:20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
Matthew 19:21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 19:24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Matthew 19:25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Mark 10:17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.
Mark 10:19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
Mark 10:20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.
Mark 10:25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Luke 18:18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 18:19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.
Luke 18:20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”
Luke 18:21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
Luke 18:24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!
Luke 18:25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Luke 18:26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”
Luke 18:27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
Question: Why is the disciples' reaction always "Oh gee, if rich people can't get into heaven, who the heck can!?" instead of, "Well, duh, of course they can't. Good riddance to those jerks!"
Was the assumption that wealth == favor really that deeply ingrained? Even among peasant farmers & fisherman that were struggling to pay taxes to Rome?