Matthew 19
19
Jesus Teaches About Divorce
(Mk. 10:1–12)
1After Jesus said all these things, he left Galilee. He went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. 2Many people followed him. Jesus healed the sick people there.
3Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make him say something wrong. They asked him, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?”
4Jesus answered, “Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made people male and female.’#Quote from Gen. 1:27; 5:2. 5And God said, ‘That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.’#Quote from Gen. 2:24. 6So they are no longer two, but one. God has joined them together, so no one should separate them.”
7The Pharisees asked, “Then why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce#19:7 a command … certificate of divorce See Deut. 24:1.?”
8Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. 9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for the problem of sexual sin, and marries another woman is guilty of adultery.”
10The followers said to Jesus, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.”
11He answered, “This statement is true for some, but not for everyone—only for those who have been given this gift. 12There are different reasons why some men don’t marry.#19:12 some men don’t marry Literally, “there are eunuchs.” Some were born without the ability to produce children. Others were made that way later in life. And others have given up marriage because of God’s kingdom. This is for anyone who is able to accept it.”
Jesus Welcomes Children
(Mk. 10:13–16; Lk. 18:15–17)
13Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to him. 14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” 15After Jesus blessed the children, he left there.
A Rich Man Refuses to Follow Jesus
(Mk. 10:17–31; Lk. 18:18–30)
16A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the law’s commands.”
18The man asked, “Which ones?”
Jesus answered, “‘You must not murder anyone, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not tell lies about others, 19you must respect your father and mother,’#Quote from Ex. 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20. and ‘love your neighbor#19:19 your neighbor Or “others.” Jesus’ teaching in Lk. 10:25-37 makes clear that this includes anyone in need. the same as you love yourself.’#Quote from Lev. 19:18.”
20The young man said, “I have obeyed all these commands. What else do I need?”
21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell all that you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me!”
22But when the young man heard Jesus tell him to give away his money, he was sad. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich. So he left.
23Then Jesus said to his followers, “The truth is, it will be very hard for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom. 24Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
25The followers were amazed to hear this. They asked, “Then who can be saved?”
26Jesus looked at them and said, “This is something that people cannot do. But God can do anything.”
27Peter said to him, “We left everything we had and followed you. So what will we have?”
28Jesus said to them, “When the time of the new world comes, the Son of Man will sit on his great and glorious throne. And I can promise that you who followed me will sit on twelve thrones, and you will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms to follow me will get much more than they left. And they will have eternal life. 30Many people who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
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