Did Jesus Really Say That About Swallowing a Camel?

Jesus was addressing the self-righteous religious leaders and He said, "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:24). 

The full passage explains that these leaders:
1. Didn’t practice what they preached.
2. Crushed people with legalistic demands.
3. Did everything for show and admiration.
4. Prevented people from knowing and understanding God.
5. Valued gold more than God.

They strained their drinks so they wouldn’t accidentally swallow one of the smallest unclean creatures, the gnat. But their behavior was like swallowing one of the largest unclean animals, the camel.(1)

If we’re not careful, we can do the same. 

But in this passage, Jesus tells us how to avoid camel-swallowing:
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v.11-12)

When we act humbly, we need not worry about swallowing any camels (1 Peter 5:6).
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(1) According to Old Testament law, the gnat (Leviticus 11:41) and the camel (Leviticus 11:4) were unclean and shouldn't be eaten.

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