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.

Jesus Enters Perea

When Yeshua had finished talking about these things, he left the Galil and traveled down the east side of the Yarden River until he passed the border of Y'hudah.

Great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

The Question of Divorce

Some P'rushim came and tried to trap him by asking, "Is it permitted for a man to divorce his wife on any ground whatever?"

He replied, "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,

and that he said, `For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two are to become one flesh'?

Thus they are no longer two, but one. So then, no one should split apart what God has joined together."

They said to him, "Then why did Moshe give the commandment that a man should hand his wife a get and divorce her?"

He answered, "Moshe allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are so hardened. But this is not how it was at the beginning.

Now what I say to you is that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!"

The talmidim said to him, "If that is how things are between husband and wife, it would be better not to marry!"

He said to them, "Not everyone grasps this teaching, only those for whom it is meant.

For there are different reasons why men do not marry -- some because they were born without the desire, some because they have been castrated, and some because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever can grasp this, let him do so."

Jesus Blesses the Children

Then children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them, but the talmidim rebuked the people bringing them.

However, Yeshua said, "Let the children come to me, don't stop them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

Then, after laying his hands on them, he went on his way.

The Rich Young Ruler

A man approached Yeshua and said, "Rabbi, what good thing should I do in order to have eternal life?" He said to him,

"Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot."

The man asked him, "Which ones?" and Yeshua said, "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't give false testimony

honor father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself."

The young man said to him, "I have kept all these; where do I still fall short?"

Yeshua said to him, "If you are serious about reaching the goal, go and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!"

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was wealthy.

Riches and the Kingdom

Then Yeshua said to his talmidim, "Yes. I tell you that it will be very hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Furthermore, I tell you that it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

When the talmidim heard this they were utterly amazed. "Then who," they asked, "can be saved?"

Yeshua looked at them and said, "Humanly, this is impossible; but with God everything is possible."

Rewards for Following Jesus

Kefa replied, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. So what will we have?"

Yeshua said to them, "Yes. I tell you that in the regenerated world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Isra'el.

Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times more, and he will obtain eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are 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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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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