Matthew · chapter 19 of 28
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Matthew 19 tells how Jesus answers the Pharisees on divorce by returning to God's purpose in creation, blesses the children, and talks with a rich young man who cannot leave his possessions to follow him. Jesus teaches that it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom, that with God all things are possible, and that those who leave everything for him will receive much more.
After the discourse on the community in chapter 18, Jesus leaves Galilee for Judea, on the way to Jerusalem. In Matthew 19 he deals with three matters of daily life, marriage, children and money, and in all three he shows how the kingdom changes common values.
When Jesus finishes these sayings, he leaves Galilee and goes to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan, where large crowds follow him and he heals them. Some Pharisees test him by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus points them back to the beginning: God made them male and female, a man will leave his father and mother and the two will become one flesh, so what God has joined together, let no one separate. They ask why Moses then commanded giving a certificate of divorce, and Jesus answers that it was because of their hardness of heart, but from the beginning it was not so; whoever divorces, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery. The disciples conclude it is better not to marry, and Jesus speaks of those who remain single for the sake of the kingdom.
Children are brought to Jesus so that he may lay his hands on them and pray; the disciples rebuke them, but Jesus says to let the children come to him, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.
A man asks what good deed he must do to have eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments and cites several; the young man answers that he has kept them and asks what he still lacks. Jesus tells him that if he wants to be perfect, he should sell what he has, give to the poor and he will have treasure in heaven, and then follow him. The young man goes away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Jesus tells his disciples that it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom, easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Astonished, they ask who can be saved, and Jesus answers that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Peter asks what they will receive, and Jesus promises twelve thrones and that everyone who leaves house, family or lands for his name will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus says that the man and the woman joined together are no longer two but one flesh, and that what God has joined together, let no one separate. He elevates marriage to a purpose of God from creation.
Jesus asks that the children be allowed to come, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. It shows that the kingdom is received with a child's simple dependence and not by merit.
Jesus invites the rich young man to sell what he has, give to the poor and follow him, and the young man goes away sorrowful. His wealth revealed what his heart was tied to, and Jesus called him to put his trust in him and not in his possessions.
At the disciples' astonishment, Jesus says that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Salvation is God's work, changing the heart and overcoming even attachment to riches.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: To creation: God made them male and female, and the two become one flesh. — Matthew 19:4-5
Answer: Because of their hardness of heart, but from the beginning it was not so. — Matthew 19:8
Answer: To let the children come to him, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 19:13-14
Answer: To sell what he had, give to the poor and follow him. — Matthew 19:21
Answer: That it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. — Matthew 19:24
Answer: All things. — Matthew 19:26
Jesus invites us to see marriage as a purpose of God, not only a contract. In a small group you can pray for marriages and for those who have lived the pain of separation, remembering that Jesus speaks with firmness and with compassion. People wounded by divorce need a church that welcomes them.
The story of the rich young man asks what we are unwilling to let go of. Ask what thing, comfort or security your heart clings to, and what concrete step of generosity or trust you can take, knowing that Jesus calls the person and not only the person's money.
Matthew 19 shows that the kingdom changes how we see marriage, children and riches, and that following Jesus means letting go of whatever competes with him. Chapter 20 continues with the parable of the workers in the vineyard and the third announcement of his death.
Christians have interpreted that clause in different ways. Many see it as an exception that allows divorce in cases of serious unfaithfulness, while others understand it more narrowly. All agree that God's purpose is the permanence of marriage and that divorce arises from hardness of heart.
Jesus spoke to the rich young man personally, since his wealth was what kept him from following. Other passages show that Jesus welcomed wealthy people who supported him and did not ask this of them. The lesson is that no one can serve God and money, and each person must ask what keeps him from following Jesus.
It is an image of something impossible: a camel, the largest animal of the region, cannot pass through the hole of a sewing needle. Some have proposed that it referred to a small gate, but there is no evidence for it. Jesus speaks of human impossibility, which is why he adds that with God all things are possible.