Matthew 19

A Discussion About Divorce and Celibacy—Mark 10:1–12

1 When Jesus finished speaking, he left Galilee and traveled along the other side of the Jordan River to the territory of Judea.

2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a man divorce his wife for any reason?”4 Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning5 and that he said, ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one’?

6 So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”
7 The Pharisees asked him, “Why, then, did Moses order a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her?”8 Jesus answered them, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you’re heartless. It was never this way in the beginning.

9 I can guarantee that whoever divorces his wife for any reason other than her unfaithfulness is committing adultery if he marries another woman.”
10 The disciples said to him, “If that is the only reason a man can use to divorce his wife, it’s better not to get married.”11 He answered them, “Not everyone can do what you suggest. Only those who have that gift can.

12 For example, some men are celibate because they were born that way. Others are celibate because they were castrated. Still others have decided to be celibate because of the kingdom of heaven. If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it.”

Jesus Blesses Children—Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17

13 Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.14 Jesus said, “Don’t stop children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.”

15 After Jesus blessed them, he went away from there.

Eternal Life in the Kingdom—Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30

16 Then a man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?”17 Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, obey the commandments.”18 “Which commandments?” the man asked.Jesus said, “Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony.

19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
20 The young man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?”21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he owned a lot of property.23 Jesus said to his disciples, “I can guarantee this truth: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 I can guarantee again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 He amazed his disciples more than ever when they heard this. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.26 Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people to save themselves, but everything is possible for God.”27 Then Peter replied to him, “Look, we’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?”28 Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the world to come, you, my followers, will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.29 And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.

30 However, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 19

Questions About Divorce

1 Now whent Jesus finished these sayings, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan River.t

2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Then some Phariseests came to him in order to test him. They asked, “Is it lawfuls to divorce a wife for any cause?”s4 He answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female,s5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?s6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?”ss8 Jesusst said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts,t but from the beginning it was not this way.9 Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”10 Thes disciples said to him, “If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!”11 Het said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given.

12 For there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth,t and some who were made eunuchst by others,t and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.”

Jesus and Little Children

13 Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray.t But the disciples scolded those who brought them.t14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”s

15 And he placed his hands on them and went on his way.t

The Rich Young Man

16 Nowt someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?”17 He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”18 “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,19 honor your father and mother,s and love your neighbor as yourself.”s20 The young man said to him, “I have wholeheartedly obeyedt all these laws.ts What do I still lack?”21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the moneyt to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.t
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth,t it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!24 Again I say,t it is easier for a camels to go through the eye of a needles than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”25 Thet disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?”s26 Jesust looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans,t but for God all things are possible.”27 Then Peter saidt to him, “Look,s we have left everything to follow you!t What then will there be for us?”28 Jesust said to them, “I tell you the truth:t In the age when all things are renewed,s when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judgings the twelve tribes of Israel.29 And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as muchs and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.