Chapter Text
Teachings on Divorce
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Jesus and the Little Children
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
The Rich Young Man
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Summary
Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce, affirming that God joined man and woman from the beginning and that divorce was permitted by Moses because of the hardness of human hearts. His disciples question whether it is better not to marry. Jesus blesses the little children brought to Him.
A rich young ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and follow Him, but the young man departs sorrowfully. Jesus teaches how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom and promises that those who have left all for His sake will receive a hundredfold.
Meaning
Jesus elevates marriage to its original divine intention, not as a contract that can be easily dissolved but as a covenant reflecting God's faithful character. His teaching on celibacy acknowledges that some are called to singleness for the sake of the kingdom.
The encounter with the rich young ruler exposes the idol that wealth can become. The young man's sorrow reveals that his possessions possessed him. Jesus does not condemn wealth itself but shows that anything placed above God becomes a barrier to eternal life.
Background
The Pharisees' question about divorce reflected an ongoing debate between the rabbinical schools of Hillel and Shammai. Hillel permitted divorce for virtually any cause, while Shammai restricted it to marital unfaithfulness.
The rich young ruler's claim to have kept all the commandments from his youth was sincere but incomplete. Jesus' instruction to sell all was not a universal command but a specific diagnosis of this man's particular bondage.
Chapter Outline
- vv. 1-2Jesus departs Galilee for Judaea
- vv. 3-9Teaching on marriage and divorce
- vv. 10-12Celibacy for the kingdom's sake
- vv. 13-15Jesus blesses the little children
- vv. 16-22The rich young ruler
- vv. 23-26The peril of riches
- vv. 27-30Reward for those who forsake all
Key Verses
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”— 19:6
The definitive scriptural foundation for Christian marriage, frequently quoted in wedding ceremonies and theological discussions of matrimony as a divine union rather than a mere human contract.
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”— 19:14
A cornerstone verse for the dignity of children in Christian thought, affirming that childlike receptivity is the very posture required to enter God's kingdom.
“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”— 19:24
One of Christ's most striking hyperboles, exposing how earthly wealth can become an idol that obstructs salvation and absolute discipleship.
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”— 19:26
A capstone declaration of divine grace, affirming that salvation is ultimately God's work, not human achievement — a verse cherished across Christian traditions.
People & Places
People
- Jesus — The Messiah, teaching on marriage, children, wealth, and the kingdom of heaven.
- Pharisees — Religious leaders who test Jesus with a question about divorce.
- Moses — Referenced as the lawgiver who permitted divorce because of hardness of heart.
- The disciples — Jesus' followers who rebuke the children, question his teaching, and ask about their reward.
- The rich young ruler — A wealthy young man who asks how to gain eternal life but departs sorrowful when called to sell all.
- Peter — Speaks for the disciples, asking what reward awaits those who have forsaken all to follow Christ.
Places
- Galilee — The northern region Jesus departs from as he begins his journey toward Jerusalem.
- Judaea beyond Jordan — The region of Perea, east of the Jordan River, where Jesus ministers to multitudes.
Prophecy & Fulfillment
Jesus delivers a forward-looking prophecy in verse 28, promising the apostles that 'in the regeneration' — the eschatological renewal of all things — they shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This anticipates the consummation of the kingdom and echoes Daniel 7:9-14, where thrones are set and authority is given to the saints of the Most High. Verse 29's promise of hundredfold reward and everlasting life points to the future resurrection inheritance, while verse 30's reversal saying ('many that are first shall be last') foreshadows the eschatological inversion central to Christ's kingdom message.
Devotional
Matthew 19 confronts us with the things we cling to: relationships, status, and possessions. Jesus elevates marriage as sacred covenant, welcomes children whom others dismiss, and lovingly exposes the one thing standing between a sincere young man and eternal life.
What is your 'great possession' — the thing you cannot imagine surrendering? It need not be money. It may be reputation, control, or a relationship held too tightly.
The chapter ends with hope: what is impossible for us is possible with God. Grace meets us where willpower fails, and the last shall be first.
Literary Style
Narrative gospel prose interwoven with dialogue, controversy story, and pronouncement sayings. Features rabbinic question-and-answer disputation, vivid hyperbole (the camel and needle), and a closing aphoristic reversal that functions as a memorable wisdom saying.