Factoid of the day

David Warren finds proof that St Luke was probably a physician by his use of the word "suture needle" for "needle":

When Matthew and Mark recount the saying of Jesus, that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to pass through the gates of heaven, they use the Greek term for a household sewing needle. But Luke instinctively uses the term for a surgeon’s suturing needle. Case closed, to my mind.

so much for those who insist it meant a local gate called needle, since the proverb probably was originally Persian and is also quoted in the Koran; John MacArthur says the Persian proverb was an elephant, but since there were few elephants in Judea at that time, the local proverb used the large camel instead.

but Warren does note Jesus added this comforting observation for those of us who are rich:

Jesus did not stop at that observation, however. He added that what is impossible for men, is possible with God. To omit this, is to miss the point of everything.