Matthew 19

On Divorce

1 And it happened that when Jesus had finished these statements, he went away from Galilee and came into the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan.

2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 And Pharisees came up to him [in order to] test him, and asked if it was permitted for a man to divorce his wife for any cause.

4 And he answered [and] said, "Have you not read that the one who created [them] from the beginning made them male and female

5 and said, 'On account of this a man will leave his father and his mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate."

7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command [us] to give a document--a certificate of divorce--and to divorce her?"

8 He said to them, "Moses, with reference to your hardness of heart, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not like this.

9 Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the basis of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the case of a man with his wife, it would be better not to marry!"

11 But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this saying but [those] to whom it has been given.

12 For there are eunuchs who were born as such from [their] mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by people, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves [eunuchs] for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept [this], let him accept [it]."

Little Children Brought to Jesus

13 Then children were brought to him so that he could lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, "Allow the children, and do not forbid them to come to me, {for to such belongs} the kingdom of heaven."

15 And he laid his hands on them [and] traveled on from there.

A Rich Young Man

16 And behold, someone came up to him [and] said, "Teacher, what good [thing] must I do so that I will have eternal life?"

17 And he said to him, "Why are you asking me about [what is] good? There is one [who is] good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments!"

18 He said to him, "Which [ones]?" And Jesus said, "Do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

19 honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

20 The young man said to him, "All these I have observed. What do I still lack?"

21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give [the proceeds] to the poor--and you will have treasure in heaven--and come, follow me."

22 But [when] the young man heard the statement, he went away sorrowful, because he was one who had many possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you that with difficulty a rich person will enter into 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 a rich person into the kingdom of God."

25 So [when] the disciples heard [this], they were extremely amazed, saying, "Then who can be saved?"

26 But Jesus looked at [them] [and] said to them, "With human beings this is impossible, but with God all [things] [are] possible."

27 Then Peter answered [and] said to him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will there be for us?"

28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that in the renewal [of the world], when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me--you also will 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 fields on account of my name will receive a hundred times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

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

Matthew 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[in order to]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("test") which is understood as purpose
• [b]. *Here the participle ("asked") is translated as a finite verb because of English style
• [c]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [d]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [e]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [f]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [g]. A quotation from Gen 2:24
• [h]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [i]. Some manuscripts omit "and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery"
• [j]. Some manuscripts have "His disciples"
• [k]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [l]. An understood repetition of the term from earlier in the verse
• [m]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [n]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [o]. Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [p]. Literally "for of such is"
• [q]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [r]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("laid") has been translated as a finite verb
• [s]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("came up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [t]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [u]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [v]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [w]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [x]. Some manuscripts have "to enter into"
• [y]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [z]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [aa]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ab]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("looked at") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ac]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ad]. The words "of the world" are supplied as a clarification of "renewal"
• [ae]. Some manuscripts omit "or wife"