Matthew 19
19
Teaching about divorce
1When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. 3Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female?#19.4 Gen 1:27; 5:2 5And God said, ‘Because of this a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’#19.5 Gen 2:24 6So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”
7The Pharisees said to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a divorce certificate and divorce her?”#19.7 Deut 24:1
8Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. 9I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10His disciples said to him, “If that’s the way things are between a man and his wife, then it’s better not to marry.”
11He replied, “Not everybody can accept this teaching, but only those who have received the ability to accept it. 12For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth. And there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept it should accept it.”
Jesus blesses children
13Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14“Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15Then he blessed the children and went away from there.
A rich man’s question
16A man approached him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17Jesus said, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There’s only one who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18The man said, “Which ones?”
Then Jesus said, “Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. 19Honor your father and mother,#19.19 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20 and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”#19.19 Lev 19:18
20The young man replied, “I’ve kept all these. What am I still missing?”
21Jesus said, “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.”
22But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Teaching about giving up things
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
25When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.
26Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.”
27Then Peter replied, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. What will we have?”
28Jesus said to them, “I assure you who have followed me that, when everything is made new, when the Human One#19.28 Or Son of Man sits on his magnificent throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.
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Matthew 19: CEB
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Matthew 19
19
Jesus goes from Galilee to Jerusalem
Teaching about divorce
(Mark 10.1-12)
1When Jesus finished teaching, he left Galilee and went to the part of Judea that is east of the River Jordan. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed their sick people.
3Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4Jesus answered, “Don't you know that in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman?#Gn 1.27; 5.2. 5That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife.#Gn 2.24. 6Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together.”
7The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why did Moses say that a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?”#Dt 24.1-4; Mt 5.31.
8Jesus replied, “You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way. 9I say that if your wife has not committed some terrible sexual sin,#19.9 some terrible sexual sin: See the note at 5.32. you must not divorce her to marry someone else. If you do, you are unfaithful.”#Mt 5.32; 1 Co 7.10,11.
10The disciples said, “If that's how it is between a man and a woman, it's better not to get married.”
11Jesus told them, “Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching. 12Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others stay single for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so.”
Jesus blesses little children
(Mark 10.13-16; Luke 18.15-17)
13Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him. 14But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don't try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God's kingdom.”#19.14 People who are like these children belong to God's kingdom: Or “God's kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” 15After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left.
A rich young man
(Mark 10.17-31; Luke 18.18-30)
16A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. If you want to have eternal life, you must obey his commandments.”
18“Which ones?” the man asked.#Ex 20.13; Dt 5.17; Ex 20.14; Dt 5.18; Ex 20.15; Dt 5.19; Ex 20.16; Dt 5.20.
Jesus answered, “Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. 19Respect your father and mother. And love others as much as you love yourself.”#Ex 20.12; Dt 5.16; Lv 19.18. 20The young man said, “I have obeyed all these. What else must I do?”
21Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” 22When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich.
23Jesus said to his disciples, “It's terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! 24In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom.”
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?”
26Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.”
27Peter replied, “Remember, we have left everything to be your followers! What will we get?”
28Jesus answered:#Mt 25.31; Lk 22.30.
Yes, all of you have become my followers. And so in the future world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, I promise that you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given a hundred times as much. They will also have eternal life. 30But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.#Mt 20.16; Lk 13.30.
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012