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Matthew 19

Teaching About Divorce

1When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.

2Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

5and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’?

6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”

7They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”

8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.

9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.”

10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”

11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.

12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

Let the Children Come to Me

13Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

14But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”

15He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

The Rich Young Man

16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’

19‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

22But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

23Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.

24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

25When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”

28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.

30But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.

Jesus continues his journey toward Jerusalem, addressing three crucial aspects of discipleship through encounters with different groups. He teaches the Pharisees about God's original design for marriage, welcomes children as examples of kingdom citizenship, and challenges a wealthy young man to consider the cost of following him. These interactions reveal Jesus' authority in interpreting Scripture and his radical call to prioritize the kingdom of heaven above earthly concerns.

Context

This chapter continues Jesus' journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem that began in chapter 19, building on his previous teachings about kingdom values and discipleship costs.

Key Themes

Outline

  • 1-2
    Journey to Judea Jesus departs Galilee for Judea, continuing his ministry of healing among the crowds.
  • 3-12
    Teaching About Divorce Jesus responds to Pharisees' test question by affirming God's original intent for marriage permanence and discussing singleness.
  • 13-15
    Blessing the Children Jesus welcomes little children despite disciples' objections, declaring the kingdom belongs to such as these.
  • 16-22
    The Rich Young Ruler A wealthy young man seeks eternal life but walks away sad when Jesus calls him to sell his possessions.
  • 23-30
    Teaching About Wealth Jesus explains the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom and promises rewards for those who sacrifice for him.

Teaching About Divorce

19:1–19:12
gospel dialogue solemn

Jesus teaches about the permanence of marriage and divorce, responding to Pharisees' test question by referencing God's original design for marriage. He also discusses celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.

quotation_chain

Jesus uniquely combines Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 to argue that God's original creative intent for marriage supersedes Moses' later divorce concession.

Let the Children Come to Me

19:13–19:15
gospel narration tender

Jesus welcomes little children and blesses them, declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those like them. This demonstrates the value of childlike faith and humility.

person_contrast

Jesus's rare combination of physical touch (ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας) with kingdom proclamation appears only here and in his healing miracles, uniquely merging blessing with theological declaration.

The Rich Young Man

19:16–19:30
gospel dialogue solemn

A rich young man asks about eternal life but walks away sad when Jesus tells him to sell his possessions. Jesus teaches about the difficulty of the wealthy entering God's kingdom and promises rewards for those who sacrifice for his sake.

person_contrast

Jesus deflects the title "good" by redirecting it to God alone, creating a theological puzzle about his own identity while simultaneously claiming authority to redefine eternal life's requirements.

Insights

Insight Quotation Chain

Jesus uniquely combines Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 to argue that God's original creative intent for marriage supersedes Moses' later divorce concession.

Insight Character Study

Jesus's rare combination of physical touch (ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας) with kingdom proclamation appears only here and in his healing miracles, uniquely merging blessing with theological declaration.

Insight Character Study

Jesus deflects the title "good" by redirecting it to God alone, creating a theological puzzle about his own identity while simultaneously claiming authority to redefine eternal life's requirements.

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

Interlinear

Word-by-word original language

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Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

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