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

1
When Yeshua had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. ​
2
Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

The Question of Divorce

3
Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” ​
4
He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, ​
5
and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’
6
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.” ​
7
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?”
8
He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. ​
9
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” ​
10
His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
11
But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
12
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.” ​

Jesus Blesses the Children

13
Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. ​
14
But Yeshua said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” ​
15
He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

The Rich Young Ruler

16
Behold, one came to him and said, “Good Rabbi, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” ​
17
He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” ​
18
He said to him, “Which ones?” Yeshua said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ ​
19
‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20
The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21
Yeshua said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ​
22
But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

Riches and the Kingdom

23
Yeshua said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. ​
24
Again I tell 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.” ​
25
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ​
26
Looking at them, Yeshua said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ​

Rewards for Following Jesus

27
Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” ​
28
Yeshua said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ​
29
Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. ​
30
But many will be last who are first; and first who 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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