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

1
When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ​
2
Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

The Question of Divorce

3
Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” ​
4
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ ​
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and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
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So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” ​
7
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
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Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. ​
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Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” ​
10
His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”
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“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
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For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” ​

Jesus Blesses the Children

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Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. ​
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But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ​
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And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

The Rich Young Ruler

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Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” ​
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“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” ​
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“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, ​
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honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”
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“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
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Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” ​
22
When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Riches and the Kingdom

23
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ​
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Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” ​
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When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” ​
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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ​

Rewards for Following Jesus

27
“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” ​
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Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ​
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And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. ​
30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. ​

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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