The Camel And The Rich Man

Dic mihi, quid est hoc quod dixit Dominus in Evangelio: Facilius est camelum per foramen acus transire, quam divitem in regnum Dei introire? Respondit: Quid per camelum, nisi gentiles homines significat? Quia antequam Christus veniret, tortuosi, et gembrosi erant, idola adorando, vel colendo. Quid per illud foramen, nisi incarnato Christi in utero sanctae Mariae describitur? Quid per illum divitem, nisi Judaei, qui de legis littera se divites sperabant? Sanctus Isidorus Hispalensis, De Veteri et Novo Testamento Quaestiones, Quaestio XXXVI Source: Migne PL 83.206a-b

Tell me, what is this which the Lord said in the Gospel: 'Easier it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven?' 1 Answer: Why a camel, unless it signifies the Gentiles? Because before Christ came they were twisted and deformed, adoring and worshipping idols. And why through that 'eye' unless it is the incarnation of Christ in the womb of Mary that is described? And why that rich man, unless the Jews, who by the letter of the law hoped to make themselves wealthy? Saint Isidore of Seville, Questions on the Old and New Testaments, from Question 36 1 Mt 19.24, Mk 10.25, Lk 18.25