Matthew19

Jesus travels to Judea, where he first addresses the Pharisees' question on divorce, affirming marriage as a divine union and limiting divorce to cases of fornication. He then welcomes little children, declaring the kingdom of heaven belongs to such. Later, a rich young man seeks eternal life, but departs sorrowful when Jesus instructs him to sell his possessions and follow Him. Jesus concludes by discussing the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom and promises great rewards to those who sacrifice for His sake.

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Jesus Enters Perea

And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judæa beyond the Jordan;

and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

The Question of Divorce

And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?

So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.

The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.

But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.

For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Jesus Blesses the Children

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

The Rich Young Ruler

And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.

Riches and the Kingdom

And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And again I say unto 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.

And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Rewards for Following Jesus

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.

Study Notes for Matthew 19

Verse 1

This verse marks a major geographical transition. Jesus leaves Galilee and enters the region of Perea ('beyond Jordan'), signaling His final journey toward Jerusalem and the impending Passion narrative.

Verse 3

The Pharisees ask a loaded question designed to trap Jesus between the strict school of Shammai and the lenient school of Hillel regarding the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1.

Verse 4

Jesus bypasses the legal debate and appeals directly to the creation ordinance found in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, establishing marriage as a divine institution meant for permanence.

Verse 6

The phrase 'one flesh' emphasizes the spiritual, physical, and legal unity of the marital bond, which human decree ought not to dissolve.

Verse 8

Jesus identifies the Mosaic allowance (Deut 24:1) as a concession due to human sinfulness ('hardness of your hearts'), not as the ideal standard or original intention of God.

Verse 9

This verse contains the 'exception clause' (*parektos logou porneias*), usually translated 'except for fornication,' which Matthew includes to clarify the only permissible grounds for divorce that does not result in adultery.

Verse 12

The third category, 'eunuchs for the kingdom,' refers to those who voluntarily choose celibacy and singleness for the sake of focused spiritual devotion and ministry.

Verse 13

Jewish custom often involved bringing children to respected rabbis for a blessing and prayer. The disciples likely viewed this interruption as a waste of the Master's time.

Verse 14

Jesus elevates the status of children, asserting that the qualities inherent in them—humility, trust, and dependence—are essential for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Verse 16

The ruler assumes that achieving eternal life is based on performing a heroic act or 'good thing,' reflecting the common Jewish emphasis on merit-based righteousness.

Verse 17

Jesus’ response redirects the focus from Himself (as a teacher) to God (as the source of ultimate goodness), clarifying that eternal life is accessed through obedience to God’s standard.

Verse 18

Jesus lists commandments primarily related to human relationships (the second table of the Decalogue), preparing to show where the ruler’s life lacks genuine love.

Verse 21

Jesus challenges the ruler's self-assessment by demanding radical, total commitment. The command to sell everything exposes that the ruler's wealth was his true idol, preventing him from achieving 'perfection' (completeness in devotion).

Verse 23

In Jewish tradition, wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor. Jesus radically reverses this view, suggesting that reliance on riches is a major hindrance to salvation.

Verse 24

This is a hyperbolic proverb (a common teaching method) emphasizing the near impossibility of a wealthy person entering the Kingdom, unless they rely solely on God rather than their possessions.

Verse 25

The disciples' amazement shows they shared the traditional view that wealth indicated God's blessing; if the righteous rich cannot be saved, who can?

Verse 26

Jesus offers the theological resolution: salvation is impossible by human effort (whether rich or poor), but it is entirely dependent on God's power and grace.

Verse 27

Peter contrasts the disciples’ sacrifice ('we have forsaken all') with the ruler’s failure, asking what specific reward they will receive for their loyalty.

Verse 28

The 'regeneration' (*palingenesia*) refers to the restoration of creation when Christ returns. The apostles are promised a unique role in ruling the renewed Israel.

Verse 29

This promise extends beyond the Twelve, assuring all who make costly sacrifices for Christ's sake that their reward will be both earthly (a hundredfold blessing) and eternal (everlasting life).

Verse 30

This concluding maxim serves as a warning against self-righteousness, setting up the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt 20) which further illustrates God's sovereign dispensing of rewards.

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Matthew19

Jesus Enters Perea

The Question of Divorce

Jesus Blesses the Children

The Rich Young Ruler

Riches and the Kingdom

Rewards for Following Jesus

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