Matthew Chapter 19

Jesus' Teaching about Divorce

(Mark 10:1-12)

1And 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 Blesses the Children

(Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)

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

(Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)

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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Teachings about Divorce
(Mark 10:1–12)

1 It happened when Jesus 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.

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
(Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17)

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 Jesus 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 Man
(Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30)

16 Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, 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?” Jesus 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 Jesus 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.

23 Jesus 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, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus 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.

Teachings about Divorce
(Mark 10:1–12)

1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

3 Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4 Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ a 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ b? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away? c”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery. d”

10 His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 “Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Jesus Blesses the Children
(Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17)

13 Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

The Rich Young Man
(Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” e Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man asked.

Jesus answered, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ f”

20 “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, g when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife h or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Footnotes:

4 a Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2
5 b Genesis 2:24 (see also LXX)
7 c See Deuteronomy 24:1.
9 d SBL and BYZ include And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery ; see Matthew 5:32.
17 e BYZ and TR 16...“Good Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” 17“Why do you call Me good?”  See Mark 10:17–18 and Luke 18:18–19.
19 f Exodus 20:12–16; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 5:16–20
28 g Or in the regeneration
29 h NE, WH, and NA do not include or wife .

Jesus' Teaching about Divorce

(Mark 10:1-12)

1And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these words, he removed from Galilee, and did come to the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan, 2and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, 'Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?' 4And he answering said to them, 'Did ye not read, that He who made them, from the beginning a male and a female made them, 5and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall be -- the two -- for one flesh? 6so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.' 7They say to him, 'Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?' 8He saith to them -- 'Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9'And I say to you, that, whoever may put away his wife, if not for whoredom, and may marry another, doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away, doth commit adultery.'

10His disciples say to him, 'If the case of the man with the woman is so, it is not good to marry.' 11And he said to them, 'All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given; 12for there are eunuchs who from the mother's womb were so born; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive it -- let him receive.'

Jesus Blesses the Children

(Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)

13Then were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, 'Suffer the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the reign of the heavens;' 15and having laid on them his hands, he departed thence.

The Rich Young Man

(Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)

16And lo, one having come near, said to him, 'Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-during?' 17And he said to him, 'Why me dost thou call good? no one is good except One -- God; but if thou dost will to enter into the life, keep the commands.' 18He saith to him, 'What kind?' And Jesus said, 'Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, 19honour thy father and mother, and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' 20The young man saith to him, 'All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?' 21Jesus said to him, 'If thou dost will to be perfect, go away, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.' 22And the young man, having heard the word, went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions;

23and Jesus said to his disciples, 'Verily I say to you, that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens; 24and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.' 25And his disciples having heard, were amazed exceedingly, saying, 'Who, then, is able to be saved?' 26And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'

27Then Peter answering said to him, 'Lo, we did leave all, and follow thee, what then shall we have?' 28And Jesus said to them, 'Verily I say to you, that ye who did follow me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man may sit upon a throne of his glory, shall sit -- ye also -- upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel; 29and every one who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for my name's sake, an hundredfold shall receive, and life age-during shall inherit; 30and many first shall be last, and last first.

Jesus Teaches About Divorce

¹ After concluding these teachings, Jesus left Galilee and traveled to the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River, moving closer to His ultimate destination in Jerusalem. ² Large crowds followed Him, drawn by His reputation for healing, and He demonstrated God's compassion by curing their ailments. ³ Some Pharisees approached, hoping to trap Him in controversy: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

⁴ Jesus answered by going back to first principles: "Haven't you read that the Creator, from the beginning, 'made them male and female'? ⁵ And He declared, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' ⁶ So they are no longer two separate individuals, but one in unity. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one tear apart." Marriage reflects a divine design and Kingdom purpose.

⁷ They pressed further: "Why then did Moses command that a man could give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" ⁸ Jesus revealed the heart of the matter: "Moses permitted divorce because of your hard heartedness, but from the beginning this was not God's design. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." ¹⁰ The disciples, reflecting their cultural conditioning, responded, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it's better not to marry!"

¹¹ Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this ruling, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹² For some are born unable to consummate, others have been made that way by men, and others have chosen celibacy for the sake of Heaven's Kingdom. The one who can accept this should accept it." Each person's path may differ.

Jesus Blesses the Children

¹³ Then people brought little children for Jesus to place His hands on them and pray, but His disciples rebuked them, thinking Jesus too important for children. ¹⁴ Jesus corrected them firmly: "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for Heaven's Kingdom belongs to such as these." Children exemplify the trust and openness God desires. ¹⁵ After laying His hands on them in blessing, He continued His journey.

The Rich Young Man

¹⁶ Just then, a young man of privilege approached Him: "Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?" ¹⁷ Jesus challenged his underlying assumption: "Why do you ask Me about what is good? Only One is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." ¹⁸ "Which ones?" he asked.

Jesus replied, "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, ¹⁹ honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." ²⁰ The young man declared confidently, "I've kept all these since childhood. What do I still lack?"

²¹ Jesus, looking at him with love, touched the heart of the matter: "If you want to be complete, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." ²² When the young man heard this, he walked away dejected, because his wealth had a deep emotional and spiritual hold on him.

Jesus Warns About Riches

²³ Then Jesus told His disciples, "I tell you this profound truth: It is extremely difficult for a rich person to enter Heaven's Kingdom. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it's easier for a camel to squeeze through a needle's eye than for someone controlled by wealth to enter God's Kingdom." ²⁵ The disciples were astonished, reflecting common beliefs that wealth indicated divine blessing: "Who then can be saved?" ²⁶ Jesus looked at them intently and declared, "With human effort, it's impossible. But with God, all things are possible." Salvation comes through divine power, not human achievements.

The Reward of Following Jesus

²⁷ Peter, speaking up, asked, "Look, we've left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?" ²⁸ Jesus assured them: "In the renewed world, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging Israel's twelve tribes. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses, siblings, parents, children, or fields for My name's sake will receive a hundred times as much and inherit everlasting life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." God's Kingdom operates on different principles than worldly success.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Matthew 19?

1.1Context of Matthew 19

1.2Ancient Key Word Study

1.3Matthew 19 Unique Insights

1.4Question the Text:

1.5Matthew 19 Connections to Yeshua

1.6Matthew 19 Scriptural Echoes

1.7Matthew 19 Devotional

1.8Did You Know

What is the meaning of Matthew 19?

Have you ever watched someone’s face when they realize following Jesus requires a life changing commitment? Maybe you’ve felt that tension yourself – that moment when His words suddenly stop being comforting and start getting uncomfortably personal about your relationships, your money, or your deepest priorities.

In Matthew 19, we watch as different people come face-to-face with Jesus’ radical kingdom demands. There’s a group of religious experts trying to trap Him with tricky questions about divorce, only to be stunned by His revolutionary view of marriage. There are parents bringing their children for a blessing, revealing surprising truths about who really “gets” God’s kingdom. And then there’s the moment that steals your breath – a wealthy young man who seems to have everything together spiritually walks away devastated when Jesus lovingly puts His finger on the one thing holding him back from true freedom.

Through these encounters, Jesus keeps peeling back layers of what we think we know about success, relationships, and spiritual maturity. What emerges is both beautiful and deeply challenging – a vision of life in God’s kingdom that might cost us everything but promises something far greater in return. Let me show you how these ancient conversations still have the power to shake up our comfortable assumptions and transform our lives today.

Context of Matthew 19

This chapter falls within the larger narrative of Yeshua’s journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, where He would ultimately face crucifixion. It follows His extensive teaching ministry in Galilee (chapters 17-18) and precedes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem (chapter 21). The geographical transition mentioned at the beginning of the chapter – moving from Galilee to Judea beyond the Jordan – is significant as it marks the beginning of His final journey to Jerusalem.

Within the broader context of Matthew’s Gospel, this chapter continues the theme of kingdom values versus worldly values, a central motif throughout the book. It builds upon previous teachings about discipleship and the cost of following Yeshua, while setting the stage for His subsequent teachings about authority and judgment. The placement of these teachings is strategic, as Matthew arranges his material to show how Yeshua’s message increasingly challenges established religious and social norms.

The chapter also serves as a bridge between the more general teachings about kingdom living in chapters 17-18 and the specific confrontations with religious authorities that will dominate chapters 21-23. The questions addressed here – about marriage, children, and wealth – are not merely theoretical but touch on practical issues that would have been highly relevant to Matthew’s original audience and continue to resonate with readers today.

Ancient Key Word Study

ἀπολύω (apolyo) – “to divorce” (v. 3, 7, 8, 9): This term literally means “to loose from” or “to release.” In the context of marriage, it was a technical term for divorce in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. The word choice is significant because it emphasizes the serious nature of breaking a covenant bond that God intended to be permanent.
κτίσας (ktisas) – “created” (v. 4): From the verb κτίζω (ktizo), this word connects Yeshua’s teaching on marriage to the creation account in Genesis. Its use emphasizes that marriage is not merely a social institution but a divine creation ordinance.
κολλάω (kollao) – “join” (v. 5): Originally meaning “to glue” or “cement together,” this word emphasizes the permanent nature of the marriage bond. The passive voice suggests God’s active role in joining husband and wife.
σκληροκαρδία (sklerokardia) – “hardness of heart” (v. 8): A compound word combining “hard” (skleros) and “heart” (kardia). This term appears in the Septuagint’s translation of passages describing Israel’s stubborn rebellion against God. Its use here connects marital unfaithfulness to spiritual unfaithfulness.
μοιχᾶται (moichatai) – “commits adultery” (v. 9): This present tense verb emphasizes the ongoing nature of the sin when someone divorces without valid grounds and remarries. The word choice highlights the seriousness of violating the marriage covenant.
πορνεία (porneia) – “sexual immorality” (v. 9): A broad term encompassing various forms of sexual sin. Its use here is significant because it was one of the few grounds for divorce recognized in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos) – “eunuch” (v. 12): While literally referring to one physically unable to marry, Yeshua uses this term metaphorically to describe those who choose celibacy for the kingdom’s sake. The word comes from “bed” (eune) and “to keep” (echo), originally meaning “bedroom guardian.”
βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (basileia ton ouranon) – “kingdom of heaven” (v. 12, 14, 23): Matthew’s characteristic phrase (used instead of “kingdom of God” out of respect for the divine name) appears several times in this chapter, emphasizing how God’s reign challenges earthly values and systems.
τέλειος (teleios) – “perfect” (v. 21): This word means “complete” or “mature” rather than flawless. It appears in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew “tamim” (whole-hearted). When Yeshua tells the rich young ruler to be “perfect,” He’s calling for complete dedication to God.

Matthew 19 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning that would have resonated deeply with its original Jewish audience while challenging their assumptions. The discussion of divorce needs to be understood against the background of the ongoing debate between the schools of Hillel and Shammai. The Hillelites permitted divorce for virtually any reason, while the Shammaites restricted it to cases of serious moral failure. Yeshua’s teaching here doesn’t simply side with either school but goes back to God’s original creation intent, transcending the entire rabbinic debate.

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The Talmud (Gittin 90a-b) preserves these rabbinic discussions about divorce, showing how central this issue was in first-century Judaism. Interestingly, the Dead Sea Scrolls community at Qumran took an even stricter view on divorce, essentially prohibiting it entirely. This background helps us understand why Yeshua’s disciples responded with such shock to His teaching, saying it would be better not to marry (Matthew 19:10).

The encounter with the rich young ruler contains subtle allusions to the story of the golden calf. Just as Israel chose wealth (the golden calf) over following God, this man chooses his possessions over following Yeshua. Early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria (in “Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?”) saw this story as teaching not that wealth itself is evil, but that attachment to wealth prevents total devotion to God. The early Jewish-Christian text “The Gospel of the Hebrews” (no longer extant but quoted by Church Fathers) apparently contained an expanded version of this encounter, emphasizing how the rich man’s wealth had prevented him from fulfilling the second great commandment to love his neighbor.

The reference to children in this chapter takes on deeper significance when viewed through the lens of ancient Jewish culture. Children were often seen as incomplete persons, yet Yeshua declares them models of kingdom citizenship. This reversal of cultural values parallels His other teachings about the first being last and the last first. The Midrash Rabbah on Numbers contains a fascinating discussion about how God prefers the prayer of children to that of the righteous, providing an interesting parallel to Yeshua’s elevation of children’s spiritual status.

Question the Text:

In Matthew 19:3, why do the Pharisees specifically test Jesus on divorce rather than other moral issues, and what might this reveal about the cultural tensions of their time?
When Jesus references Genesis in Matthew 19:4-6, why does He go back to creation rather than the Law of Moses to make His point about marriage? What does this suggest about His view of scriptural authority and interpretation?
In Matthew 19:8, Jesus says Moses permitted divorce due to “hardness of heart.” What does this reveal about the relationship between divine ideals and human limitations in God’s law?
The disciples’ reaction in Matthew 19:10 suggests they found Jesus’s teaching on marriage shocking. What does their response reveal about common assumptions regarding marriage and divorce in their culture?
In Matthew 19:12, Jesus speaks of different types of eunuchs, including those who “make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom.” What is He suggesting about voluntary celibacy and its role in kingdom service?
Why does Jesus become indignant in Matthew 19:14 when His disciples try to prevent children from approaching Him? What does this reveal about status, accessibility, and kingdom values?
The rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 keeps all the commandments yet lacks something. Why does Jesus specifically challenge him about his wealth rather than other potential spiritual issues?
In Matthew 19:17, why does Jesus seem to deflect the attribution of goodness to Himself, saying “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone”? What theological implications might this have?
The metaphor of a camel through a needle’s eye in Matthew 19:24 is startling in its impossibility. Why use such an extreme image, and what does this suggest about Jesus’s view of wealth’s spiritual impact?
When Peter asks about the disciples’ reward in Matthew 19:27-29, why does Jesus include such specific promises about thrones and judging tribes, along with the paradoxical statement about the first being last in verse 30? What does this reveal about divine rewards and human motivations?

Matthew 19 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter powerfully reveals Yeshua’s divine authority and His role in fulfilling God’s original purposes for creation. His teaching on marriage demonstrates His authority to interpret Torah definitively, going beyond both contemporary rabbinic interpretations and even Moses’ concession for divorce. By referring back to the creation account, Yeshua shows Himself to be the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3), now restoring God’s original design.

The encounter with the rich young ruler reveals Yeshua as the One who can see into hearts and call people to complete surrender. His statement that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) points to His own role in making salvation possible through His upcoming sacrifice. The promise to the disciples about sitting on twelve thrones judging Israel (Matthew 19:28) connects to His future role as King Messiah, while also foreshadowing the New Creation where His followers will reign with Him.

Matthew 19 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament passages and themes. The discussion of marriage and divorce echoes not only the creation account (Genesis 1:27, 2:24) but also Malachi 2:16 where יהוה (Yahweh) declares “I hate divorce.” The imagery of marriage reflects the covenant relationship between יהוה and Israel, making divorce a theological as well as moral issue.

The theme of childlike faith connects to passages like Psalm 131, where David compares himself to a weaned child with his mother. The promise of the disciples sitting on twelve thrones echoes Daniel 7:22, where the saints are given authority to judge.

The rich young ruler’s encounter recalls the story of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and various wisdom passages about wealth (Proverbs 11:28, 30:8-9). The promise of abundance in the regeneration points forward to the new heaven and new earth described in Isaiah 65:17-25.

Matthew 19 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts regarding relationships, possessions, and ultimate loyalty to Yeshua. The teaching on marriage calls us to uphold God’s original design while showing grace to those wounded by broken relationships. It reminds us that God’s standards are higher than human traditions, yet His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses.

The encounter with the rich young ruler prompts us to consider what we’re holding onto that prevents total surrender to Yeshua. What is our “great possession” that we’re unwilling to release? The good news is that while salvation is impossible with man, all things are possible with God. We’re called to cultivate childlike trust while maintaining mature dedication.

The promise that those who have left everything for Yeshua’s sake will receive a hundredfold encourages us in seasons of sacrifice. Yet the warning that many who are first will be last reminds us to serve with humility, recognizing that all rewards come by grace rather than merit.

Did You Know

The phrase “moses permitted” (v. 8) uses the Greek verb ἐπέτρεψεν (epitrepsen), which implies a concession rather than an ideal arrangement. This same word is used in secular Greek documents for temporary permits or licenses, suggesting that the certificate of divorce was never meant to be God’s permanent solution.
The discussion about eunuchs (v. 12) may reference Isaiah’s prophecy about eunuchs having a place in God’s kingdom (Isaiah 56:4-5). Some early Christians, like Origen, took this teaching literally, though this was later condemned by the church.
The “eye of a needle” (v. 24) was not, contrary to popular teaching, a reference to a small gate in Jerusalem’s walls. This explanation only appeared in the Middle Ages. The saying was meant to express an obvious impossibility, similar to other rabbinic hyperboles.
The term “regeneration” (παλιγγενεσία) in verse 28 was used by Stoic philosophers to describe the renewal of the world after its destruction by fire. Matthew’s use of this term shows how early Christians adapted Greek philosophical language to express biblical truth.
The promise of sitting on “twelve thrones” (v. 28) may explain why the disciples were so concerned about replacing Judas in Acts 1, as they saw it as fulfilling this specific promise of Yeshua.
The age of the “young man” (v. 20) would likely have been between 20 and 40 in ancient terms. Jewish culture considered men “young” until age 40, meaning this wasn’t necessarily a teenager as often depicted.
The placement of hands on children (v. 13) reflects the ancient Jewish practice of fathers blessing their children on Sabbath evenings. This practice continues today and is based on Jacob blessing his grandchildren in Genesis 48:14.
The phrase “from the beginning” (v. 8) uses the Greek ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς (ap archēs), which appears in the Septuagint’s translation of Genesis 1:1. This linguistic connection reinforces Yeshua’s appeal to creation ordinances rather than later cultural accommodations.
The discussion of marriage and divorce takes place in Perea, where John the Baptist was executed for criticizing Herod’s marriage. This geographical detail adds poignancy to Yeshua’s strong stance on marriage.
The promise of receiving “a hundredfold” (v. 29) uses language reminiscent of Isaac’s blessing in Genesis 26:12, suggesting a restoration of Abrahamic blessing through following Yeshua.
The concept of leaving family for God’s kingdom (v. 29) had precedent in the Levitical priesthood, where priests were called to prioritize divine service over family ties (Deuteronomy 33:9).
The Greek word for “received” in verse 29 (λήμψεται) is in the future tense, suggesting that the hundredfold blessing includes both present and eschatological rewards, a pattern seen throughout Matthew’s Gospel.

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Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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