Jesus uniquely combines Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 to argue that God's original creative intent for marriage supersedes Moses' later divorce concession.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Jesus uniquely combines Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 to argue that God's original creative intent for marriage supersedes Moses' later divorce concession.
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.
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.
Connected passages across Scripture
He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As…
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of th…
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at…
Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing wha…
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all o…
“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one fles…
For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,
Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mothe…
and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.”
and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one fles…
Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.”
He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and…
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband…
“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be b…
Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.
Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, heal…
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.…
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t f…
Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs…
Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I…
A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;
A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor…
You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do…
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not cov…
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to…
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to dea…
You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor…
You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do…
Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, a…
When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to th…
Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heave…
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and s…
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted a…
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdo…
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riche…
If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather t…
Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you w…
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?…
Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glo…
having a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the…
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone thro…
When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…
Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mothe…
but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, wit…
He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or ch…
“If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and hi…
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Word-by-word original language
Places and events in this chapter