1 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;
2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 The 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?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He 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.
9 And 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.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For 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.
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And 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.
18 He 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,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus 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.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 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.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And 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.
29 And 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.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
1 And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 that when G3753 Jesus G2424 had finished G5055 these G5128 sayings, G3056 he departed G3332 from G575 Galilee, G1056 and G2532 came G2064 into G1519 the coasts G3725 of Judaea G2449 beyond G4008 Jordan; G2446
2 And G2532 great G4183 multitudes G3793 followed G190 him; G846 and G2532 he healed G2323 them G846 there. G1563
3 The Pharisees G5330 also G2532 came G4334 unto him, G846 tempting G3985 him, G846 and G2532 saying G3004 unto him, G846 Is it lawful G1487 G1832 for a man G444 to put away G630 his G846 wife G1135 for G2596 every G3956 cause? G156
4 And G1161 he answered G611 and said G2036 unto them, G846 Have ye G314 not G3756 read, G314 that G3754 he which G3588 made G4160 them at G575 the beginning G746 made G4160 them G846 male G730 and G2532 female, G2338
5 And G2532 said, G2036 For this G5127 cause G1752 shall a man G444 leave G2641 father G3962 and G2532 mother, G3384 and G2532 shall cleave G4347 to his G846 wife: G1135 and G2532 they twain G1417 shall be G2071 G1519 one G3391 flesh? G4561
6 Wherefore G5620 they are G1526 no more G3765 twain, G1417 but G235 one G3391 flesh. G4561 What G3739 therefore G3767 God G2316 hath joined together, G4801 let G5563 not G3361 man G444 put asunder. G5563
7 They say G3004 unto him, G846 Why G5101 did Moses G3475 then G3767 command G1781 to give G1325 a writing G975 of divorcement, G647 and G2532 to put G630 her G846 away? G630
8 He saith G3004 unto them, G846 G3754 Moses G3475 because of G4314 the hardness G4641 of your G5216 hearts G4641 suffered G2010 you G5213 to put away G630 your G5216 wives: G1135 but G1161 from G575 the beginning G746 it was G1096 not G3756 so. G3779
9 And G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 Whosoever G3739 G302 shall put away G630 his G846 wife, G1135 except G1508 it be for G1909 fornication, G4202 and G2532 shall marry G1060 another, G243 committeth adultery: G3429 and G2532 whoso marrieth G1060 her which G3588 is put away G630 doth commit adultery. G3429
10 His G846 disciples G3101 say G3004 unto him, G846 If G1487 the case G156 of the man G444 be G2076 so G3779 with G3326 his wife, G1135 it is G4851 not G3756 good G4851 to marry. G1060
11 But G1161 he said G2036 unto them, G846 All G3956 men cannot G3756 receive G5562 this G5126 saying, G3056 save G235 they to whom G3739 it is given. G1325
12 For G1063 there are G1526 some eunuchs, G2135 which G3748 were so G3779 born G1080 from G1537 their mother's G3384 womb: G2836 and G2532 there are G1526 some eunuchs, G2135 which G3748 were made eunuchs G2134 of G5259 men: G444 and G2532 there be G1526 eunuchs, G2135 which G3748 have made G2134 themselves G1438 eunuchs G2134 for G1223 the kingdom G932 of heaven's sake. G3772 He that is able G1410 to receive G5562 it, let him receive G5562 it.
13 Then G5119 were there brought G4374 unto him G846 little children, G3813 that G2443 he should put G2007 his hands G5495 on G2007 them, G846 and G2532 pray: G4336 and G1161 the disciples G3101 rebuked G2008 them. G846
14 But G1161 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 Suffer G863 little children, G3813 and G2532 forbid G2967 them G846 not, G3361 to come G2064 unto G4314 me: G3165 for G1063 of such G5108 is G2076 the kingdom G932 of heaven. G3772
15 And G2532 he laid G2007 his hands G5495 on G2007 them, G846 and departed G4198 thence. G1564
16 And, G2532 behold, G2400 one G1520 came G4334 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Good G18 Master, G1320 what G5101 good thing G18 shall I do, G4160 that G2443 I may have G2192 eternal G166 life? G2222
17 And G1161 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Why G5101 callest thou G3004 me G3165 good? G18 there is none G3762 good G18 but G1508 one, G1520 that is, God: G2316 but G1161 if G1487 thou wilt G2309 enter G1525 into G1519 life, G2222 keep G5083 the commandments. G1785
18 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Which? G4169 G1161 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 Thou shalt do G5407 no G3756 murder, G5407 Thou shalt G3431 not G3756 commit adultery, G3431 Thou shalt G2813 not G3756 steal, G2813 Thou shalt G5576 not G3756 bear false witness, G5576
19 Honour G5091 thy G4675 father G3962 and G2532 thy mother: G3384 and, G2532 Thou shalt love G25 thy G4675 neighbour G4139 as G5613 thyself. G4572
20 The young man G3495 saith G3004 unto him, G846 All G3956 these things G5023 have I kept G5442 from G1537 my G3450 youth up: G3503 what G5101 lack G5302 I yet? G2089
21 Jesus G2424 said G5346 unto him, G846 If G1487 thou wilt G2309 be G1511 perfect, G5046 go G5217 and sell G4453 that thou G4675 hast, G5224 and G2532 give G1325 to the poor, G4434 and G2532 thou shalt have G2192 treasure G2344 in G1722 heaven: G3772 and G2532 come G1204 and follow G190 me. G3427
22 But G1161 when the young man G3495 heard G191 that saying, G3056 he went away G565 sorrowful: G3076 for G1063 he had G2192 G2258 great G4183 possessions. G2933
23 Then G1161 said G2036 Jesus G2424 unto his G846 disciples, G3101 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 a rich man G4145 shall hardly G1423 enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of heaven. G3772
24 And G1161 again G3825 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 It is G2076 easier G2123 for a camel G2574 to go G1330 through G1223 the eye G5169 of a needle, G4476 than G2228 for a rich man G4145 to enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316
25 When G1161 his G846 disciples G3101 heard G191 it, they were exceedingly G4970 amazed, G1605 saying, G3004 Who G5101 then G686 can G1410 be saved? G4982
26 But G1161 Jesus G2424 beheld G1689 them, and said G2036 unto them, G846 With G3844 men G444 this G5124 is G2076 impossible; G102 but G1161 with G3844 God G2316 all things G3956 are G2076 possible. G1415
27 Then G5119 answered G611 Peter G4074 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Behold, G2400 we G2249 have forsaken G863 all, G3956 and G2532 followed G190 thee; G4671 what G5101 shall we G2254 have G2071 therefore? G686
28 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 ye G5210 which G3588 have followed G190 me, G3427 in G1722 the regeneration G3824 when G3752 the Son G5207 of man G444 shall sit G2523 in G1909 the throne G2362 of his G846 glory, G1391 ye G5210 also G2532 shall sit G2523 upon G1909 twelve G1427 thrones, G2362 judging G2919 the twelve G1427 tribes G5443 of Israel. G2474
29 And G2532 every G3956 one G3739 that hath forsaken G863 houses, G3614 or G2228 brethren, G80 or G2228 sisters, G79 or G2228 father, G3962 or G2228 mother, G3384 or G2228 wife, G1135 or G2228 children, G5043 or G2228 lands, G68 for my G3450 name's G3686 sake, G1752 shall receive G2983 an hundredfold, G1542 and G2532 shall inherit G2816 everlasting G166 life. G2222
30 But G1161 many G4183 that are first G4413 shall be G2071 last; G2078 and G2532 the last G2078 shall be first. G4413
1 And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea beyond the Jordan;
2 and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful `for a man' to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made `them' from the beginning made them male and female,
5 and 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?
6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put `her' away?
8 He 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.
9 And 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.
10 The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.
11 But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
12 For 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.
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And 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.
18 He 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,
19 Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus 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.
22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.
23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And 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.
25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 And Jesus looking upon `them' said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?
28 And 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.
29 And 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.
30 But many shall be last `that are' first; and first `that are' last.
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these words, he removed from Galilee, and did come to the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan,
2 and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
3 And 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?'
4 And he answering said to them, `Did ye not read, that He who made `them', from the beginning a male and a female made them,
5 and 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?
6 so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.'
7 They say to him, `Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'
8 He 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.'
10 His disciples say to him, `If the case of the man with the woman is so, it is not good to marry.'
11 And he said to them, `All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given;
12 for 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.'
13 Then were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, `Suffer the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the reign of the heavens;'
15 and having laid on them `his' hands, he departed thence.
16 And lo, one having come near, said to him, `Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-during?'
17 And 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.'
18 He 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,
19 honour thy father and mother, and, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'
20 The young man saith to him, `All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?'
21 Jesus 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.'
22 And the young man, having heard the word, went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions;
23 and Jesus said to his disciples, `Verily I say to you, that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens;
24 and 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.'
25 And his disciples having heard, were amazed exceedingly, saying, `Who, then, is able to be saved?'
26 And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, `With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'
27 Then Peter answering said to him, `Lo, we did leave all, and follow thee, what then shall we have?'
28 And 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;
29 and 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;
30 and many first shall be last, and last first.
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, he withdrew from Galilee, and came to the coasts of Judaea beyond the Jordan;
2 and great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 And the Pharisees came to him tempting him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 But he answering said [to them], Have ye not read that he who made [them], from the beginning made them male and female,
5 and said, On account of this a man shall leave father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh?
6 so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
7 They say to him, Why then did Moses command to give a letter of divorce and to send [her] away?
8 He says to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not thus.
9 But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, not for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries one put away commits adultery.
10 His disciples say to him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 And he said to them, All cannot receive this word, but those to whom it has been given;
12 for there are eunuchs which have been born thus from [their] mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs who have made eunuchs of themselves for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].
13 Then there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of the heavens is of such:
15 and having laid his hands upon them, he departed thence.
16 And lo, one coming up said to him, Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have life eternal?
17 And he said to him, What askest thou me concerning goodness? one is good. But if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He says to him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother, and Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man says to him, All these have I kept; what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said to him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to [the] poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
22 But the young man, having heard the word, went away grieved, for he had large possessions.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say unto you, A rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of the heavens;
24 and again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to enter a needle's eye than a rich man into the kingdom of God.
25 And when the disciples heard [it] they were exceedingly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus, looking on [them], said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then Peter answering said to him, Behold, *we* have left all things and have followed thee; what then shall happen to us?
28 And Jesus said to them, Verily I say unto you, That *ye* who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit down upon his throne of glory, *ye* also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one who has left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit life eternal.
30 But many first shall be last, and last first.
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."
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 to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven."
15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
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 assuredly 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 assuredly 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.
1 And it came about that after saying these words, Jesus went away from Galilee, and came into the parts of Judaea on the other side of Jordan.
2 And a great number went after him; and he made them well there.
3 And certain Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, Is it right for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he said in answer, Have you not seen in the Writings, that he who made them at the first made them male and female, and said,
5 For this cause will a man go away from his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?
6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Then let not that which has been joined by God be parted by man.
7 They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her?
8 He says to them, Moses, because of your hard hearts, let you put away your wives: but it has not been so from the first.
9 And I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife for any other cause than the loss of her virtue, and takes another, is a false husband: and he who takes her as his wife when she is put away, is no true husband to her.
10 The disciples say to him, If this is the position of a man in relation to his wife, it is better not to be married.
11 But he said to them, Not all men are able to take in this saying, but only those to whom it is given.
12 For there are men who, from birth, were without sex: and there are some who were made so by men: and there are others who have made themselves so for the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to take it, let him take it.
13 Then some people took little children to him, so that he might put his hands on them in blessing: and the disciples said sharp words to them.
14 But Jesus said, Let the little ones come to me, and do not keep them away: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he put his hands on them, and went away.
16 And one came to him and said, Master, what good thing have I to do, so that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said to him, Why are you questioning me about what is good? One there is who is good: but if you have a desire to go into life, keep the rules of the law.
18 He says to him, Which? And Jesus said, Do not put anyone to death, Do not be untrue in married life, Do not take what is not yours, Do not give false witness,
19 Give honour to your father and your mother: and, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself.
20 The young man says to him, All these things have I done: what more is there?
21 Jesus said to him, If you have a desire to be complete, go, get money for your property, and give it to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven: and come after me.
22 But hearing these words the young man went away sorrowing: for he had much property.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, It is hard for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say to you, It is simpler for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of God.
25 And the disciples, hearing this, were greatly surprised, saying, Who then may have salvation?
26 And Jesus, looking at them, said, With men this is not possible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then Peter said to him, See, we have given up everything and have come after you; what then will we have?
28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that in the time when all things are made new, and the Son of man is seated in his glory, you who have come after me will be seated on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or child, or land, for my name, will be given a hundred times as much, and have eternal life.
30 But a great number who are first will be last, and some who are last will be first.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 19
Commentary on Matthew 19 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 19
In this chapter, we have,
Mat 19:1-2
We have here an account of Christ's removal. Observe,
Mat 19:3-12
We have here the law of Christ in the case of divorce, occasioned, as some other declarations of his will, by a dispute with the Pharisees. So patiently did he endure the contradiction of sinners, that he turned it into instructions to his own disciples! Observe, here
Their question is, Whether a man may put away his wife for every cause. That it might be done for some cause, even for that of fornication, was granted; but may it be done, as now it commonly was done, by the looser sort of people, for every cause; for any cause that a man shall think fit to assign, though ever so frivolous; upon every dislike or displeasure? The toleration, in this case, permitted it, in case she found no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her, Deu. 24:1. This they interpreted so largely as to make any disgust, though causeless, the ground of a divorce.
From hence he infers, What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Note,
But Christ tells them there was a reason for this toleration, not at all for their credit; It was because of the hardness of your hearts, that you were permitted to put away your wives. Moses complained of the people of Israel in his time, that their hearts were hardened (Deu. 9:6; 31:27), hardened against God; this is here meant of their being hardened against their relations; they were generally violent and outrageous, which way soever they took, both in their appetites and in their passions; and therefore if they had not been allowed to put away their wives, when they had conceived a dislike of them, they would have used them cruelly, would have beaten and abused them, and perhaps have murdered them. Note, There is not a greater piece of hard-heartedness in the world, than for a man to be harsh and severe with his own wife. The Jews, it seems, were infamous for this, and therefore were allowed to put them away; better divorce them than do worse, than that the altar of the Lord should be covered with tears, Mal. 2:13. A little compliance, to humour a madman, or a man in a frenzy, may prevent a greater mischief. Positive laws may be dispensed with for the preservation of the law of nature, for God will have mercy and not sacrifice; but then those are hard-hearted wretches, who have made it necessary; and none can wish to have the liberty of divorce, without virtually owning the hardness of their hearts. Observe, He saith, It is for the hardness of your hearts, not only theirs who lived then, but all their seed. Note, God not only sees, but foresees, the hardness of men's hearts; he suited both the ordinances and providences of the Old Testament to the temper of that people, both in terror. Further observe, The law of Moses considered the hardness of men's hearts, but the gospel of Christ cures it; and his grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives a heart of flesh. By the law was the knowledge of sin, but by the gospel was the conquest of it.
The law of Moses allowing divorce for the hardness of men's hearts, and the law of Christ forbidding it, intimate, that Christians being under a dispensation of love and liberty, tenderness of heart may justly be expected among them, that they will not be hard-hearted, like Jews, for God has called us to peace. There will be no occasion for divorces, if we forbear one another, and forgive one another, in love, as those that are, and hope to be, forgiven, and have found God not forward to put us away, Isa. 50:1. No need of divorces, if husbands love their wives, and wives be obedient to their husbands, and they live together as heirs of the grace of life: and these are the laws of Christ, such as we find not in all the law of Moses.
Christ speaks here of a twofold unaptness to marriage.
Now,
Mat 19:13-15
We have here the welcome which Christ gave to some little children that were brought to him. Observe,
They desired that he would put his hands on them, and pray. Imposition of hands was a ceremony used especially in paternal blessings; Jacob used it when he blessed and adopted the sons of Joseph, Gen. 48:14. It intimates something of love and familiarity mixed with power and authority, and bespeaks an efficacy in the blessing. Whom Christ prays for in heaven, he puts his hand upon by his Spirit. Note,
Methinks it has something observable in it, that, when he had done this, he departed thence, v. 15. As if he reckoned he had done enough there, when he had thus asserted the rights of the lambs of his flock, and made this provision for a succession of subjects in his kingdom.
Mat 19:16-22
Here is an account of what passed between Christ and a hopeful young gentleman that addressed himself to him upon a serious errand; he said to be a young man (v. 20); and I called him a gentleman, not only because he had great possessions, but because he was a ruler (Lu. 18:18), a magistrate, a justice of peace in his country; it is probable that he had abilities beyond his years, else his youth would have debarred him from the magistracy.
Now concerning this young gentleman, we are told how fair he bid for heaven and came short.
In answer to this, Christ specifies several, especially the commandments of the second table.
Our Saviour here specifies second-table duties only; not as if the first were of less account, but,
Now,
It was commendable also, that he desired to know further what his duty was; What lack I yet? He was convinced that he wanted something to fill up his works before God, and was therefore desirous to know it, because, if he was not mistaken in himself, he was willing to do it. Having not yet attained, he thus seemed to press forward. And he applied himself to Christ, whose doctrine was supposed to improve and perfect the Mosaic institution. He desired to know what were the peculiar precepts of his religion, that he might have all that was in them to polish and accomplish him. Who could bid fairer?
But,
Yet something of honesty there was in it, that, when he did not like the terms, he went away, and would not pretend to that, which he could not find in his heart to come up to the strictness of; better so than do as Demas did, who, having known the way of righteousness, afterward turned aside, out of love to this present world, to the greater scandal of his profession; since he could not be a complete Christian, he would not be a hypocrite.
Mat 19:23-30
We have here Christ's discourse with his disciples upon occasion of the rich man's breaking with Christ.
Now,
Lord, saith Peter, we have forsaken all. Alas! it was but a poor all that they had forsaken; one of them had indeed quitted a place in the custom-house, but Peter and the most of them had only left a few boats and nets, and the appurtenances of a poor fishing-trade; and yet observe how Peter there speaks of it, as it had been some mighty thing; Behold, we have forsaken all. Note, We are too apt to make the most of our services and sufferings, our expenses and losses, for Christ, and to think we have made him much our debtor. However, Christ does not upbraid them with this; though it was but little that they had forsaken, yet it was their all, like the widow's two mites, and was as dear to them as if it had been more, and therefore Christ took it kindly that they left it to follow him; for he accepts according to what a man hath.
Now their honour being adjourned till the Son of man's sitting in the throne of his glory, intimates,
Now,
Our Saviour, in the last verse, obviates a mistake of some, as if pre-eminence in glory went by precedence in time, rather than the measure and degree of grace. No; Many that are first, shall be last, and the last, first, v. 30. God will cross his hands; will reveal that to babes, which he hid from the wise and prudent; will reject unbelieving Jews and receive believing Gentiles. The heavenly inheritance is not given as earthly inheritances commonly are, by seniority of age, and priority of birth, but according to God's pleasure. This is the text of another sermon, which we shall meet with in the next chapter.