Matthew 19

1 It happened 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,t5 and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’t

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 bill 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 himreceive 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?t 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 ‘Honor your father and mother.’t And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”t

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 the Kingdom of God.”

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.

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.