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Matthew 19:22-24 Rich annoyance of camel eye needles
1. Matthew 19:22-24 Rich annoyance of camel eye needles
2. Matthew 19
3. Matthew 19:21-24 Context
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. [kjv]
19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. [kjv]
19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
4. Matthew 19:22 Hear the reasoning
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. [kjv]
ακουσας δε ο νεανισκος τον λογον τουτον απηλθεν λυπουμενος ην γαρ εχων κτηματα πολλα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἀκούω" ≈ "hear" and is the source of the English word
"acoustic". The Greek word for
"hear" assumes
understanding.
The ancient Greek word
"λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, reasoning" and can, in
context, mean
"word" or
"saying".
5. Matthew 19:22 Annoying distress
6. Matthew 19:22 Many
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. [kjv]
ακουσας δε ο νεανισκος τον λογον τουτον απηλθεν λυπουμενος ην γαρ εχων κτηματα πολλα [gnt]
The Greek word translated as
"great" is that of
"many" and, if context allows,
"much".
The ancient Greek word
"πολύς" ≈ "many, much" and is the suffix of English words starting with
"poly" as in "
polynomial". The Greek word is related to the Latin word
"plus" ≈ "more" and the Old English word
"feolo" ≈ "many" and the German word
"viel" ≈ "many, much".
7. Matthew 19:30 First and last
8. Matthew 19:30 Stacks and queues
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. [kjv]
πολλοι δε εσονται πρωτοι εσχατοι και εσχατοι πρωτοι [gnt]
In computer science, a "
stack" is a
LIFO (Last In First Out) data structure that works as a "
stack" of cafeteria trays. In the extreme (all
pushes then all
pops), this creates a
reverse order.
By contrast, a "
queue" is a
FIFI (First In First Out) data structure. Using the "
new" as living and the "
old" as dead, does a stack-based or first-in last-out structure have any meaning?
That is, from a time sequence perspective, the last in shall be first out and the first in shall be last out. This is the definition of a
stack structure.
Paraphrase:
But many that are first in shall be the last out and the last in shall be the first out.
Who are the
"many"
9. Matthew 19:22 Possessions
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. [kjv]
ακουσας δε ο νεανισκος τον λογον τουτον απηλθεν λυπουμενος ην γαρ εχων κτηματα πολλα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"κτῆμα" ≈ "piece of property, possession" and comes from
"κτάομαι" ≈ "get, obtain, acquire".
Can one have
"many" "possessions" without being "
rich"? The Greek word translated as "
rich" is that of having "
many" things.
10. Matthew 10:8-9 Pursuing discussion
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. [kjv]
ασθενουντας θεραπευετε νεκρους εγειρετε λεπρους καθαριζετε δαιμονια εκβαλλετε δωρεαν ελαβετε δωρεαν δοτε [gnt]
10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, [kjv]
μη κτησησθε χρυσον μηδε αργυρον μηδε χαλκον εις τας ζωνας υμων [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"κτῆσις" ≈ "act of acquiring, ownership, taking" which, once obtained, becomes "
property". The Greek
"into" was translated as
"in".
Paraphrase: Do not acquire gold, ... (for what you do during your journey) into your purses (belts).
Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. NLT (New Living Translation)
Discuss: Why might the church not want you to have money to take along to spread the "
Good News"? Provide any known historical examples of either case.
11. Matthew 19:22
KJV: But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Greek: ακουσας δε ο νεανισκος τον λογον τουτον απηλθεν λυπουμενος ην γαρ εχων κτηματα πολλα
12. Riches and the kingdom
Matthew 19:23 … That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου αμην λεγω υμιν οτι πλουσιος δυσκολως εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
Mark 10:23 … How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! [kjv]
και περιβλεψαμενος ο ιησους λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου πως δυσκολως οι τα χρηματα εχοντες εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελευσονται [gnt]
10:24 … how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God ! [kjv]
οι δε μαθηται εθαμβουντο επι τοις λογοις αυτου ο δε ιησους παλιν αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις τεκνα πως δυσκολον εστιν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελθειν [gnt]
Luke 18:24 … How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! [kjv]
ιδων δε αυτον ο ιησους ειπεν πως δυσκολως οι τα χρηματα εχοντες εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισπορευονται [gnt]
Jesus is speaking in all the verses.
13. Discussion
The word translated as
"hardly" in the
KJV (King James Version) and
"difficult" in many other translations is the ancient Greek word
"δύσκολος" ≈ "annoyed, grumpy, bad-tempered" which means, literally,
"bad colon" as in
"bad intestine".
Consider the above verses and discuss the following.
How hard is it for the "rich" to enter the kingdom?
How hard is it for the "poor" to enter the kingdom?
How hard is it for those who are neither "rich" nor "poor" to enter the kingdom?
What is the difference between the following?
Something that is easy or hard (difficult).
Something that is possible or impossible.
Is there a middle ground for each?
Why might the "
young man" be
"annoyed",
"grumpy" or
"bad-tempered" at hearing the remarks of Jesus? Why might the disciples be upset too at what Jesus said.
14. Matthew 19:23 Paraphrase
Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου αμην λεγω υμιν οτι πλουσιος δυσκολως εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
What happens if the original meaning of the words are used?
Paraphrase: (if otherwise qualified)
A man with many possessions enters the kingdom of heaven in a bad-tempered or grumpy manner (since all those possessions are left behind and now worthless). Whether one gets into the kingdom of heaven is dependent on other factors (e.g., how the possessions were obtained, how they were used, etc.).
15. Matthew 19:23
Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου αμην λεγω υμιν οτι πλουσιος δυσκολως εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
What exactly is the
"kingdom" of
"heaven"?
The ancient Greek word "βασίλεια" ≈ "kingdom" as in "realm" and is the source of the English word "basilica" which is a hall of the king of the "kingdom".
The ancient Greek word "οὐρανός" ≈ "sky, heaven" as in the "atmosphere".
16. Comparisons
☐ 1. If one "
gives" to the
destitute "
poor", might one get "
treasure" in "
air" as in the "
world" as run by the "
birds"?
☐ 2. If one "
gives" to the "
poor" in
spirit, might one get "
treasure" in "
heaven" as in leading to the
"kingdom" of "
God"?
Which "
treasure" can be "
tunneled" into to
deceive one into accumulating this "
treasure"?
If one is
self-centered would either alternative 1 or 2 (or both) tend to make one "
annoyed"?
17. Matthew 19:23
KJV: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Greek: ο δε ιησους ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου αμην λεγω υμιν οτι δυσκολως πλουσιος δυσκολως εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων
18. Matthew 19:24 Kingdom of God
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
παλιν δε λεγω υμιν ευκοπωτερον εστιν καμηλον δια τρηματος ραφιδος η πλουσιον εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]
Paraphrase:
... Which is a better toil or work, to get a camel through the eye of a needle or a rich man into the kingdom of God?
19. Camels and needles
Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
ευκοπωτερον γαρ εστιν καμηλον δια τρηματος βελονης εισελθειν η πλουσιον εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελθειν [gnt]
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
παλιν δε λεγω υμιν ευκοπωτερον εστιν καμηλον δια τρηματος ραφιδος η πλουσιον εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]
The Latin changes the Greek question "
which is a better toil" to a
statement! Matthew uses
"kingdom" of
"God" rather than
"kingdom" of
"heaven/air". Is there a difference? If so, is it important?
Paraphrase:
Which is a better toil or work, to get a camel through the eye of a needle or a rich man into the kingdom of God?
Discuss: Compare and contrast the
KJV statements about a rich man in Luke 18:25 with Jesus and Zacchaeus, a rich man, in Luke 19 (start of the next chapter). Does Zacchaeus keep all or some or none of his wealth?
20. Matthew 19:24
KJV: And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Greek: παλιν δε λεγω υμιν ευκοπωτερον εστιν καμηλον δια τρυπηματος τρηματος ραφιδος διελθειν εισελθειν η πλουσιον εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελθειν
Latin: et iterum dico vobis facilius est camelum per foramen acus transire quam divitem intrare in regnum caelorum
21. Disciples make an inference
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. [kjv]
ακουσας δε ο νεανισκος τον λογον τουτον απηλθεν λυπουμενος ην γαρ εχων κτηματα πολλα [gnt]
Matthew
attributes, or
rationalizes, the response of the "
young man" to the fact that he has "
many" "
possessions".
Nowhere is this stated in the conversation between Jesus and the "
young man".
The disciples do not have a good track record of making good inferences. It is human nature to attribute what happens to what they know, hear or see.
22. Matthew 19:21,23-24 Kingdoms and heaven and God
In
three verses, the ideas of
"kingdom" and
"heaven" or
"sky" and
"God" are used. How are these connected?
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. [kjv]
19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
Jesus uses the words "
Verily/amen I say unto you" as a hint to connect what he said previously with what he is going to say next. Here it is done "
again". So there are
three ideas to be connected.
23. Verily I say unto you: connect the dots
Some (theologians, commentators, pastors, etc.) say that the phrase is used to introduce an important concept. Is what Jesus says ever
unimportant?
Instead, the phrase appears to be used to connect the previous thought (excluding scripture quotation) with the next thought as similar in some way.
In some cases, the two thoughts are stated in a
top-down backward-chaining manner so that it helps to consider the second thought before the first thought.
24. Kingdoms and heaven and God
Paraphrases of
three verses to connect via "
verily I say unto you"
Matthew 19:21
... go and sell out your essential attributes, give to the fallen (who need the Good news) and you will have treasure in the kingdom of the heaven (of God) and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:21
... go and sell out your essential attributes, give to the destitute poor and you will have treasure in the kingdom of the air (world) and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:23
Someone tied/glued to many (worldly) things will be annoyed/grumpy to enter the kingdom of heaven/air (either one).
Matthew 19:24
Which is a better toil or work, to get a camel through the eye of a needle or a rich man into the kingdom of God?
The idea of tied or "
glued" was an important idea at the beginning of this chapter and in the previous chapter.
Different words are used but they have the
same semantic idea. [bind/loose on/in earth/heaven, man and wife leave and are joined]
25. Kingdoms and heaven and God
Here is one model of the "
kingdoms". A
"kingdom" can be considered a "
rule", a "
realm", an "
opinion", a "
glory". Who is in charge of each
"kingdom"?
Which might be called the third "
heaven"?
There are
two "
kingdoms" of "
heaven/air". Both are
perceptions. As perceptions, they can both, at various level, be "
within"
you at the same time.
☐ 1.
"kingdom" of the "
air" of the "
world"
☐ 2.
"kingdom" of the "
heaven" of "
God"
3. Only
one of these two
"kingdom" perceptions lead to the
reality of the
"kingdom" of "
God".
How easy is it to confuse or merge the
perception of the
"kingdom" of "
heaven" of "
God" with the
reality of the
"kingdom" of "
God"? That appears to be what Mark (through Peter) and Luke (through people's memories) did.
26. Matthew 19:25-30 Division of thrones
The answer provided by Jesus is somewhat enigmatic.
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [kjv]
19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. [kjv]
Who are the
"many"? Who, then, are the "
few"?
19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. [kjv]
Hint: This verse appears to go with the next chapter as a continuation of this chapter.
27. End of page
