Matthieu 19

1 Quand Jésus eut achevé ces discours, il partit de Galilée, et s'en alla dans les quartiers de la Judée, au-delà du Jourdain.

2 Et beaucoup de peuple l'y suivit, et il guérit là leurs malades.

3 Des pharisiens y vinrent aussi pour le tenter, et ils lui dirent: Est-il permis à un homme de répudier sa femme pour quelque sujet que ce soit?

4 Et il leur répondit: N'avez-vous pas lu que Celui qui créa, au commencement, fit un homme et une femme;

5 Et qu'il dit: A cause de cela l'homme quittera son père et sa mère, et s'attachera à sa femme, et les deux seront une seule chair?

6 Ainsi ils ne sont plus deux, mais une seule chair. Ce que Dieu a joint, que l'homme ne le sépare donc pas.

7 Ils lui dirent: Pourquoi donc Moïse a-t-il commandé de donner une lettre de divorce à la femme et de la répudier?

8 Il leur dit: C'est à cause de la dureté de votre cour que Moïse vous a permis de répudier vos femmes; mais il n'en était pas ainsi au commencement.

9 Mais je vous dis que quiconque répudiera sa femme, si ce n'est pour cause d'adultère, et en épousera une autre, commet un adultère; et celui qui épousera celle qui a été répudiée, commet aussi un adultère.

10 Ses disciples lui dirent: Si telle est la condition de l'homme uni à la femme, il ne convient pas de se marier.

11 Mais il leur dit: Tous ne sont pas capables de cela, mais ceux-là seulement à qui il a été donné.

12 Car il y a des eunuques qui sont nés tels, du ventre de leur mère; il y en a qui ont été faits eunuques par les hommes; et il y en a qui se sont faits eunuques eux-mêmes pour le royaume des cieux. Que celui qui peut comprendre ceci, le comprenne.

13 Alors on lui présenta de petits enfants, afin qu'il leur imposât les mains, et qu'il priât; mais les disciples les reprenaient.

14 Mais Jésus dit: Laissez les petits enfants, et ne les empêchez point de venir à moi; car le royaume des cieux est pour ceux qui leur ressemblent.

15 Et leur ayant imposé les mains, il partit de là.

16 Et voici, quelqu'un s'approchant lui dit: Bon maître, que dois-je faire de bien pour avoir la vie éternelle?

17 Il lui répondit: Pourquoi m'appelles-tu bon? Personne n'est bon, sauf Dieu seul. Que si tu veux entrer dans la vie, garde les commandements.

18 Il lui dit: Lesquels? Et Jésus lui répondit: Tu ne tueras point; tu ne commettras point d'adultère; tu ne déroberas point; tu ne diras point de faux témoignage;

19 Honore ton père et ta mère; et tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même.

20 Le jeune homme lui dit: J'ai observé toutes ces choses-là dès ma jeunesse; que me manque-t-il encore?

21 Jésus lui dit: Si tu veux être parfait, va, vends ce que tu as, et le donne aux pauvres; et tu auras un trésor dans le ciel; après cela, viens et suis-moi.

22 Mais quand le jeune homme eut entendu cette parole, il s'en alla tout triste; car il possédait de grands biens.

23 Alors Jésus dit à ses disciples: Je vous dis en vérité qu'un riche entrera difficilement dans le royaume des cieux.

24 Et je vous dis encore: Il est plus aisé qu'un chameau passe par le trou d'une aiguille, qu'il ne l'est qu'un riche entre dans le royaume de Dieu.

25 Ses disciples, ayant entendu cela, furent fort étonnés, et ils disaient: Qui peut donc être sauvé?

26 Et Jésus, les regardant, leur dit: Quant aux hommes, cela est impossible; mais quant à Dieu, toutes choses sont possibles.

27 Alors Pierre, prenant la parole, lui dit: Voici, nous avons tout quitté, et nous t'avons suivi; que nous arrivera-t-il donc?

28 Et Jésus leur dit: Je vous dis en vérité, à vous qui m'avez suivi, que lorsque le Fils de l'homme sera assis sur le trône de sa gloire, dans le renouvellement qui doit arriver, vous aussi serez assis sur douze trônes, jugeant les douze tribus d'Israël.

29 Et quiconque aura quitté des maisons, ou des frères, ou des sœurs, ou père, ou mère, ou femme, ou enfants, ou des champs, à cause de mon nom, en recevra cent fois autant, et héritera la vie éternelle.

30 Mais plusieurs des premiers seront les derniers; et plusieurs des derniers seront les premiers.

Matthieu 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.