Matthäus 19

1 Und es geschah, als Jesus diese Reden vollendet hatte, begab er sich von Galiläa hinweg und kam in das Gebiet von Judäa, jenseit des Jordan.

2 Und es folgten ihm große Volksmengen, und er heilte sie daselbst.

3 Und die Pharisäer kamen zu ihm, versuchten ihn und sprachen: Ist es einem Manne erlaubt, aus jeder Ursache sein Weib zu entlassen?

4 Er aber antwortete und sprach zu ihnen : Habt ihr nicht gelesen, daß der, welcher sie schuf, von Anfang sie Mann und Weib schuf und sprach:

5 "Um deswillen wird ein Mensch Vater und Mutter verlassen und seinem Weibe anhangen, und es werden die zwei ein Fleisch sein";

6 so daß sie nicht mehr zwei sind, sondern ein Fleisch? Was nun Gott zusammengefügt hat, soll der Mensch nicht scheiden.

7 Sie sagen zu ihm: Warum hat denn Moses geboten, einen Scheidebrief zu geben und sie zu entlassen?

8 Er spricht zu ihnen: Moses hat wegen eurer Herzenshärtigkeit euch gestattet, eure Weiber zu entlassen; von Anfang aber ist es nicht also gewesen.

9 Ich sage euch aber, daß, wer irgend sein Weib entlassen wird, nicht wegen Hurerei, und eine andere heiraten wird, Ehebruch begeht; und wer eine Entlassene heiratet, begeht Ehebruch.

10 Seine Jünger sagen zu ihm: Wenn die Sache des Mannes mit dem Weibe also steht, so ist es nicht ratsam zu heiraten.

11 Er aber sprach zu ihnen: Nicht alle fassen dieses Wort, sondern denen es gegeben ist;

12 denn es gibt Verschnittene, die von Mutterleibe also geboren sind; und es gibt Verschnittene, die von den Menschen verschnitten worden sind; und es gibt Verschnittene, die sich selbst verschnitten haben um des Reiches der Himmel willen. Wer es zu fassen vermag, der fasse es.

13 Dann wurden Kindlein zu ihm gebracht, auf daß er ihnen die Hände auflege und bete; die Jünger aber verwiesen es ihnen.

14 Jesus aber sprach: Lasset die Kindlein und wehret ihnen nicht, zu mir zu kommen, denn solcher ist das Reich der Himmel.

15 Und er legte ihnen die Hände auf und ging von dannen hinweg.

16 Und siehe, einer trat herzu und sprach zu ihm: Lehrer, welches Gute soll ich tun, auf daß ich ewiges Leben habe?

17 Er aber sprach zu ihm: Was fragst du mich über das Gute? Einer ist gut. Wenn du aber ins Leben eingehen willst, so halte die Gebote.

18 Er spricht zu ihm: Welche? Jesus aber sprach: Diese: Du sollst nicht töten; du sollst nicht ehebrechen; du sollst nicht stehlen; du sollst nicht falsches Zeugnis geben;

19 ehre den Vater und die Mutter, und: du sollst deinen Nächsten lieben wie dich selbst.

20 Der Jüngling spricht zu ihm: Alles dieses habe ich beobachtet; was fehlt mir noch?

21 Jesus sprach zu ihm: Wenn du vollkommen sein willst, so gehe hin, verkaufe deine Habe und gib den Armen, und du wirst einen Schatz im Himmel haben; und komm, folge mir nach.

22 Als aber der Jüngling das Wort hörte, ging er betrübt hinweg, denn er hatte viele Güter.

23 Jesus aber sprach zu seinen Jüngern: Wahrlich ich sage euch: Schwerlich wird ein Reicher in das Reich der Himmel eingehen.

24 Wiederum aber sage ich euch: Es ist leichter, daß ein Kamel durch ein Nadelöhr eingehe, als daß ein Reicher in das Reich Gottes eingehe .

25 Als aber die Jünger es hörten, waren sie sehr erstaunt und sagten: Wer kann dann errettet werden?

26 Jesus aber sah sie an und sprach zu ihnen: Bei Menschen ist dies unmöglich, bei Gott aber sind alle Dinge möglich.

27 Da antwortete Petrus und sprach zu ihm: Siehe, wir haben alles verlassen und sind dir nachgefolgt; was wird uns nun werden?

28 Jesus aber sprach zu ihnen: Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Ihr, die ihr mir nachgefolgt seid, auch ihr werdet in der Wiedergeburt, wenn der Sohn des Menschen sitzen wird auf seinem Throne der Herrlichkeit, auf zwölf Thronen sitzen und richten die zwölf Stämme Israels.

29 Und ein jeder, der irgend verlassen hat Häuser, oder Brüder, oder Schwestern, oder Vater, oder Mutter, oder Weib, oder Kinder, oder Äcker um meines Namens willen, wird hundertfältig empfangen und ewiges Leben erben.

30 Aber viele Erste werden Letzte, und Letzte Erste sein.

Matthäus 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.