Matthew 19
Jesus Taught the Pharisees about Marriage and Divorce (19:1–9)
1 When Jesus finished these teachings, he left Galilee and went into the borders of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Then Pharisees approached to test him and asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 Jesus answered and said, “Have you not read, that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female, 5 and he said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ [Gen. 2:24]? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 They asked him, “Why, then, did Moses command [that a man should] provide a written separation agreement in order to divorce a wife?” 8 Jesus replied to them, “Moses commanded you [to use that procedure] to divorce your wives [only] because your hearts were hard. But it was not [intended to be that] way in the beginning. 9 So I tell you that whoever divorces his [covenantal] wife, except for sexual immorality, in order to marry another woman, commits adultery.”
Jesus Encourages His Apostles to Live the High Order of Covenant Marriage (19:10–12)
10 The disciples then said to him, “If such is the situation between the husband and the wife, it is not advantageous to marry.” 11 But Jesus replied to them, “Not everyone will live in harmony with this covenantal teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For some eunuchs were born that way out of their mother’s womb; some eunuchs have been made that way by others; and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs, even thinking that do so is for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever has the power to live in harmony with the covenantal teaching of marriage, let them do so.
Jesus Embraces and Blesses Little Children (19:13–15)
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded them. 14 Jesus said, “Allow the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them: for of such children is the kingdom of the heavens.” 15 After he had laid his hands on them, he left from there.
Sell and Give to the Poor and Find Treasures in Heaven
(19:16–30)
16 And behold, a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what good is?” Jesus replied. “Only one is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 The man asked, “Which ones?” Jesus replied, “You will not kill, you will not commit adultery, you will not steal, you will not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be complete, go and liquidate your possessions and assets, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens. Come and follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this teaching, he went away troubled because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you; a rich person will enter the kingdom of the heavens with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter into the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With mankind this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered and said to him, “Behold, we have left everything and we followed you! What will there be for us?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the resurrection of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 Everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, or wife or children, or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
