Matthew 19

Jesus Teaches About Divorce

1 After Jesus said all these things, he left Galilee and went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River.

2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?”
4 Jesus answered, “Surely you have read in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’ 5 And God said, ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.’ 

6 So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.”

7 The Pharisees asked, “Why then did Moses give a command for a man to divorce his wife by giving her divorce papers?”
8 Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching, but divorce was not allowed in the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery. 

10 The followers said to him, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 Jesus answered, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but God has made some able to accept it. 12 There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to become fathers. Others were made that way later in life by other people. And some men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. But the person who can marry should accept this teaching about marriage.” 

Jesus Welcomes Children

13 Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so he could put his hands on them 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.”

15 After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there.

A Rich Young Man’s Question

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

17 Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have life forever, obey the commands.”

18 The man asked, “Which commands?”
Jesus answered, “ ‘You must not murder anyone; you must not be guilty of adultery; you must not steal; you must not tell lies about your neighbor; 19 honor your father and mother; 

20 The young man said, “I have obeyed all these things. What else do I need to do?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. If you do this, you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this, he left sorrowfully, because he was rich.
23 Then Jesus said to his followers, “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Yes, I tell you 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 When Jesus’ followers heard this, they were very surprised and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For people this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

27 Peter said to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. So what will we have?”
28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, when the age to come has arrived, the Son of Man will sit on his great throne. All of you who followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, 30 Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.

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.