1 And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with [his] wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard [it], they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.
Summary of Matthew Chapter 19
Matthew Chapter 19 presents a series of teachings and events in the life of Jesus, focusing on themes of marriage, divorce, children, and wealth. The chapter highlights Jesus’ authority in interpreting the law, His compassion for the vulnerable, and His radical teachings on discipleship.
Key Themes
- Marriage and Divorce: Jesus addresses the issue of divorce and reaffirms the sanctity of marriage.
- Children: Jesus emphasizes the importance of children and their place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Wealth: The chapter discusses the challenges of wealth in relation to entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Discipleship: Jesus calls for total commitment and sacrifice from His followers.
Detailed Analysis
1. Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce (Verses 1-12)
In this section, the Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him regarding the legality of divorce. Jesus responds by referring to the creation narrative, emphasizing that marriage is a divine institution intended to be lifelong.
- Pharisees’ Question: They ask if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason.
- Jesus’ Response: He cites Genesis, stating that God made them male and female and that what God has joined together, man should not separate.
- Exception Clause: Jesus mentions that divorce is permissible in cases of sexual immorality, highlighting the seriousness of marital fidelity.
- Disciples’ Reaction: The disciples express concern, suggesting that it might be better not to marry at all if such is the case.
2. Jesus Blesses Little Children (Verses 13-15)
In this passage, people bring children to Jesus for Him to lay hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuke them, but Jesus welcomes the children, stating that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.
- Importance of Children: Jesus highlights the innocence and humility of children as essential qualities for entering the Kingdom.
- Rebuke of Disciples: Jesus’ reaction to the disciples’ dismissal of the children underscores His inclusive nature and the value He places on the vulnerable.
3. The Rich Young Ruler (Verses 16-30)
A young man approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, which the young man claims to have done. Jesus then challenges him to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing the difficulty of wealth in the context of discipleship.
- Question of Eternal Life: The young man’s inquiry reflects a genuine desire for spiritual fulfillment.
- Commandments Listed: Jesus mentions several commandments, emphasizing moral behavior as foundational.
- Call to Radical Discipleship: The instruction to sell all he has and give to the poor illustrates the cost of following Jesus.
- Disciples’ Concern: The disciples are astonished by Jesus’ statement about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom, leading to a discussion on the nature of salvation.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 19 encapsulates critical teachings of Jesus that challenge societal norms regarding marriage, wealth, and the value of children. The chapter encourages readers to reflect on their own commitments and priorities in relation to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus’ radical call to discipleship invites a transformative understanding of what it means to follow Him in a world often driven by materialism and self-interest.
