Matthew 19
19
A Discussion about Divorce and Celibacy
(Mark 10:1–12)
1When Jesus finished speaking, he left Galilee and traveled along the other side of the Jordan River to the territory of Judea. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a man divorce his wife for any reason?”
4Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning 5and that he said, ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one’? 6So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”
7The Pharisees asked him, “Why, then, did Moses order a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her?”
8Jesus answered them, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you’re heartless. It was never this way in the beginning. 9I can guarantee that whoever divorces his wife for any reason other than her unfaithfulness is committing adultery if he marries another woman.”
10The disciples said to him, “If that is the only reason a man can use to divorce his wife, it’s better not to get married.”
11He answered them, “Not everyone can do what you suggest. Only those who have that gift can. 12For example, some men are celibate because they were born that way. Others are celibate because they were castrated. Still others have decided to be celibate because of the kingdom of heaven. If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it.”
Jesus Blesses Children
(Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17)
13Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.
14Jesus said, “Don’t stop children from coming to me! Children like these are part of God’s kingdom.” 15After Jesus blessed them, he went away from there.
Eternal Life in the Kingdom
(Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30)
16Then a man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?”
17Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, obey the commandments.”
18“Which commandments?” the man asked.
Jesus said, “Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. 19Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
20The young man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?”
21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he owned a lot of property.
23Jesus said to his disciples, “I can guarantee this truth: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24I can guarantee again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
25He amazed his disciples more than ever when they heard this. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.
26Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people ⌞to save themselves⌟, but everything is possible for God.”
27Then Peter replied to him, “Look, we’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?”
28Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the world to come, you, my followers, will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30However, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
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Matthew 19: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Matthew 19
19
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judæa beyond the Jordan; 2and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? 6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? 8He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. 10The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry. 11But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. 15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. 18He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 21Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.
23And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say unto 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. 25And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? 26And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? 28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. 30But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.
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