Matthew Chapter 19
1 When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
2 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"
4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
5 and 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?'
6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."
7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce, and divorce her?"
8 He 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.
9 I 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."
10 His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."
11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
12 For 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."
13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But 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."
15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
16 Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
17 He 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."
18 He 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 'Honour your father and your mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' "
20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus 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."
22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23 Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
24 Again 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."
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27 Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"
28 Jesus 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.
29 Everyone 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.
30 But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
Footnotes
- Verse 4
- Genesis 1:27
- Verse 5
- Genesis 2:24
- Verse 17 (Why do you call me good)
- So Greek Majority Text New Testament and Textus Receptus. Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies critical text Greek New Testament reads "Why do you ask me about what is good?"
- Verse 19
- Exodus 20:12-16;
- Verse 19
- Leviticus 19:18
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Matthew Chapter 19 Guide
The Pharisees approached Him with a question concerning divorce. The force of His reply is in the words "from the beginning." He had no opinions apart from the will and intention of God. As God willed, so let it be! "Why did Moses then command?" His answer is a contradiction of their main position. "Moses ... suffered." He did not command, but because of the people's hardness of heart he suffered. Marriage, not celibacy, is the law of life, yet the Master recognizes that celibacy will be the condition of some, and does not condemn it when it arises from one of three causes, the necessity of birth, the action of men, the voluntary act for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a dark saying not intended for all, as the words of Jesus indicate.
It is beautifully fitting that having reiterated the irrevocable divine law relating to marriage, thus emphasizing the value of family life, He should now show His direct and wonderful interest in and tenderness toward children. In this place the word "such" does not primarily refer to the child character, but to children; and so the Master that day claimed all child life as belonging to His Kingdom.
The picture of this young man would be perfect to any but the dear vision of Christ. Yet the words of the Master prove that He saw the imperfections, and, moreover, they suggest that the young man was also conscious of them, "If thou wouldst be perfect." "Follow Me" is the Master's supreme word to him. Submit, obey, follow! And then with rare skill the Lord sets His mark on the most supreme thing hitherto in the young man's life, and that which is his greatest hindrance- his wealth. "He went away sorrowful." Yet "Jesus ... loved him."
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Matthew Chapter 19 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Jesus enters Judea. -- (1, 2)
- The Pharisees' question about divorces. -- (3-12)
- Young children brought to Jesus. -- (13-15)
- The rich young man's inquiry. -- (16-22)
- The recompence of Christ's followers. -- (23-30)
Verses 1, 2
Great multitudes followed Christ. When Christ departs, it is best for us to follow him. They found him as able and ready to help elsewhere, as he had been in Galilee; wherever the Sun of Righteousness arose, it was with healing in his wings.
Verses 3-12
The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by asking whether they had not read the account of the creation, and the first example of marriage; thus pointing out that every departure therefrom was wrong. That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and kept to accordingly, which is best for our souls, and tends most to prepare us for, and preserve us to, the kingdom of heaven. When the gospel is really embraced, it makes men kind relatives and faithful friends; it teaches them to bear the burdens, and to bear with the infirmities of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace and happiness more than their own. As to ungodly persons, it is proper that they should be restrained by laws, from breaking the peace of society. And we learn that the married state should be entered upon with great seriousness and earnest prayer.
Verses 13-15
It is well when we come to Christ ourselves, and bring our children. Little children may be brought to Christ as needing, and being capable of receiving blessings from him, and having an interest in his intercession. We can but beg a blessing for them: Christ only can command the blessing. It is well for us, that Christ has more love and tenderness in him than the best of his disciples have. And let us learn of him not to discountenance any willing, well-meaning souls, in their seeking after Christ, though they are but weak. Those who are given to Christ, as part of his purchase, he will in no wise cast out. Therefore he takes it ill of all who forbid, and try to shut out those whom he has received. And all Christians should bring their children to the Saviour that he may bless them with spiritual blessings.
Verses 16-22
Christ knew that covetousness was the sin which most easily beset this young man; though he had got honestly what he possessed, yet he could not cheerfully part with it, and by this his want of sincerity was shown. Christ's promises make his precepts easy, and his yoke pleasant and very comfortable; yet this promise was as much a trial of the young man's faith, as the precept was of his charity and contempt of the world. It is required of us in following Christ, that we duly attend his ordinances, strictly follow his pattern, and cheerfully submit to his disposals; and this from love to him, and in dependence on him. To sell all, and give to the poor, will not serve, but we are to follow Christ. The gospel is the only remedy for lost sinners. Many abstain from gross vices who do not attend to their obligations to God. Thousands of instances of disobedience in thought, word, and deed, are marked against them in the book of God. Thus numbers forsake Christ, loving this present world: they feel convictions and desires, but they depart sorrowful, perhaps trembling. It behoves us to try ourselves in these matters, for the Lord will try us.
Verses 23-30
Though Christ spoke so strongly, few that have riches do not trust in them. How few that are poor are not tempted to envy! But men's earnestness in this matter is like their toiling to build a high wall to shut themselves and their children out of heaven. It should be satisfaction to those who are in a low condition, that they are not exposed to the temptations of a high and prosperous condition. If they live more hardly in this world than the rich, yet, if they get more easily to a better world, they have no reason to complain. Christ's words show that it is hard for a rich man to be a good Christian, and to be saved. The way to heaven is a narrow way to all, and the gate that leads into it, a strait gate; particularly so to rich people. More duties are expected from them than from others, and more sins easily beset them. It is hard not to be charmed with a smiling world. Rich people have a great account to make up for their opportunities above others. It is utterly impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to get to heaven. Christ used an expression, denoting a difficulty altogether unconquerable by the power of man. Nothing less than the almighty grace of God will enable a rich man to get over this difficulty. Who then can be saved? If riches hinder rich people, are not pride and sinful lusts found in those not rich, and as dangerous to them? Who can be saved? say the disciples. None, saith Christ, by any created power. The beginning, progress, and perfecting the work of salvation, depend wholly on the almighty power of God, to which all things are possible. Not that rich people can be saved in their worldliness, but that they should be saved from it. Peter said, We have forsaken all. Alas! it was but a poor all, only a few boats and nets; yet observe how Peter speaks, as if it had been some mighty thing. We are too apt to make the most of our services and sufferings, our expenses and losses, for Christ. However, Christ does not upbraid them; though it was but little that they had forsaken, yet it was their all, and as dear to them as if it had been more. Christ took it kindly that they left it to follow him; he accepts according to what a man hath. Our Lord's promise to the apostles is, that when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, he will make all things new, and they shall sit with him in judgement on those who will be judged according to their doctrine. This sets forth the honour, dignity, and authority of their office and ministry. Our Lord added, that every one who had forsaken possessions or comforts, for his sake and the gospel, would be recompensed at last. May God give us faith to rest our hope on this his promise; then we shall be ready for every service or sacrifice. Our Saviour, in the last verse, does away a mistake of some. The heavenly inheritance is not given as earthly ones are, but according to God's pleasure. Let us not trust in promising appearances or outward profession. Others may, for aught we know, become eminent in faith and holiness.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.