Matthew 19

Instruction About Divorce

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?4 And He answered and said to them, Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh ? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.7 They said to Him, Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?8 He said to them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.10 His disciples said to Him, If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.11 But He said to them, All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mothers womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.14 But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Rich Young Ruler

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?17 So 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?19 Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.20 The young man said to Him, All these things I have kept 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 that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved?26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

The Apostles Reward

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?28 So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My names sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

MATTHEW 19

Teaching about Divorce

(Mark 10.1-12)

1 When Jesus finished teaching, he left Galilee and went to the part of Judea east of the Jordan River.

2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed their sick.

3 Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4  t Jesus answered, “Don't you know in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman? 5 t That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife.

6 Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple God has joined together.”

7  t The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why did Moses say a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?”
8 Jesus replied, “You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way.

9 t I say if your wife has not committed some terrible sexual sin, t you must not divorce her to marry someone else. If you do, you are unfaithful.”

10 The disciples said, “If that's how it is between a man and a woman, it's better not to get married.”
11 Jesus told them, “Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching.

12 Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others stay single in order to serve God better. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children

(Mark 10.13-16; Luke 18.15-17)

15 After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left.

A Rich Young Man

(Mark 10.17-31; Luke 18.18-30)

16 A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”

17 Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. If you want to have eternal life, you must obey his commandments.”

18  t “Which ones?” the man asked.
Jesus answered, “Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. 19 t Respect your father and mother. And love others as much as you love yourself.”

20 The young man said, “I have obeyed all of these. What else must I do?”
21 Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was very rich.
23 Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you, it's terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven!

24 In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?”

26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things people cannot do, but God can do anything.”

27 Peter replied, “Remember, we have left everything to be your followers! What will we get?”

28  t Jesus answered:
Yes, all of you have become my followers. And so in the future world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, I promise you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given 100 times as much. They will also have eternal life. 30 t But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.