Matteo 19

1 Or avvenne che quando Gesù ebbe finiti questi ragionamenti, si partì dalla Galilea e se ne andò sui confini della Giudea oltre il Giordano.

2 E molte turbe lo seguirono, e quivi guarì i loro malati.

3 E de’ Farisei s’accostarono a lui tentandolo, e dicendo: E’ egli lecito di mandar via, per qualunque ragione, la propria moglie?

4 Ed egli, rispondendo, disse loro: Non avete voi letto che il Creatore da principio li creò maschio e femmina, e disse:

5 Perciò l’uomo lascerà il padre e la madre e s’unirà con la sua moglie e i due saranno una sola carne?

6 Talché non son più due, ma una sola carne; quello dunque che Iddio ha congiunto, l’uomo nol separi.

7 Essi gli dissero: Perché dunque comandò Mosè di darle un atto di divorzio e mandarla via?

8 Gesù disse loro: Fu per la durezza dei vostri cuori che Mosè vi permise di mandar via le vostre mogli; ma da principio non era così.

9 Ed io vi dico che chiunque manda via sua moglie, quando non sia per cagion di fornicazione, e ne sposa un’altra, commette adulterio.

10 I discepoli gli dissero: Se tale è il caso dell’uomo rispetto alla donna, non conviene di prender moglie.

11 Ma egli rispose loro: Non tutti son capaci di praticare questa parola, ma quelli soltanto ai quali è dato.

12 Poiché vi son degli eunuchi, i quali son nati così dal seno della madre; vi son degli eunuchi, i quali sono stati fatti tali dagli uomini, e vi sono degli eunuchi, i quali si son fatti eunuchi da sé a cagion del regno de’ cieli. Chi è in grado di farlo lo faccia.

13 Allora gli furono presentati dei bambini perché imponesse loro le mani e pregasse; ma i discepoli sgridarono coloro che glieli presentavano.

14 Gesù però disse: Lasciate i piccoli fanciulli e non vietate loro di venire a me, perché di tali è il regno de’ cieli.

15 E imposte loro le mani, si partì di là.

16 Ed ecco un tale, che gli s’accostò e gli disse: Maestro, che farò io di buono per aver la vita eterna?

17 E Gesù gli rispose: Perché m’interroghi tu intorno a ciò ch’è buono? Uno solo è il buono. Ma se vuoi entrar nella vita osserva i comandamenti.

18 Quali? gli chiese colui. E Gesù rispose: Questi: Non uccidere; non commettere adulterio; non rubare; non dir falsa testimonianza;

19 onora tuo padre e tua madre, e ama il tuo prossimo come te stesso.

20 E il giovane a lui: Tutte queste cose le ho osservate; che mi manca ancora?

21 Gesù gli disse: Se vuoi esser perfetto, va’ vendi ciò che hai e dallo ai poveri, ed avrai un tesoro nei cieli; poi, vieni e seguitami.

22 Ma il giovane, udita questa parola, se ne andò contristato, perché avea di gran beni.

23 E Gesù disse ai suoi discepoli: Io vi dico in verità che un ricco malagevolmente entrerà nel regno dei cieli.

24 E da capo vi dico: E’ più facile a un cammello passare per la cruna d’un ago, che ad un ricco entrare nel regno di Dio.

25 I suoi discepoli, udito questo, sbigottirono forte e dicevano: Chi dunque può esser salvato?

26 E Gesù, riguardatili fisso, disse loro: Agli uomini questo è impossibile; ma a Dio ogni cosa è possibile.

27 Allora Pietro, replicando, gli disse: Ecco, noi abbiamo lasciato ogni cosa e t’abbiam seguitato; che ne avremo dunque?

28 E Gesù disse loro: Io vi dico in verità che nella nuova creazione, quando il Figliuol del l’uomo sederà sul trono della sua gloria, anche voi che m’avete seguitato, sederete su dodici troni a giudicar le dodici tribù d’Israele.

29 E chiunque avrà lasciato case, o fratelli, o sorelle, o padre, o madre, o figliuoli, o campi per amor del mio nome, ne riceverà cento volte tanti, ed erederà la vita eterna.

30 Ma molti primi saranno ultimi; e molti ultimi, primi.

Matteo 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.