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
And G2532 sold G4097 their possessions G2933 and G2532 goods, G5223 and G2532 parted G1266 them G846 to all G3956 men, as G2530 every man G5100 had G302 G2192 need. G5532
Sell G4453 that ye G5216 have, G5224 and G2532 give G1325 alms; G1654 provide G4160 yourselves G1438 bags G905 which wax G3822 not G3361 old, G3822 a treasure G2344 in G1722 the heavens G3772 that faileth not, G413 where G3699 no G3756 thief G2812 approacheth, G1448 neither G3761 moth G4597 corrupteth. G1311
Then G1161 Jesus G2424 beholding G1689 him G846 loved G25 him, G846 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 One thing G1520 thou G4671 lackest: G5302 go thy way, G5217 sell G4453 whatsoever G3745 thou hast, G2192 and G2532 give G1325 to the poor, G4434 and G2532 thou shalt have G2192 treasure G2344 in G1722 heaven: G3772 and G2532 come, G1204 take up G142 the cross, G4716 and follow G190 me. G3427
Now G1161 when Jesus G2424 heard G191 these things, G5023 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Yet G2089 lackest G3007 thou G4671 one G1520 thing: sell G4453 all G3956 that G3745 thou hast, G2192 and G2532 distribute G1239 unto the poor, G4434 and G2532 thou shalt have G2192 treasure G2344 in G1722 heaven: G3772 and G2532 come, G1204 follow G190 me. G3427
Lay G2343 not G3361 up G2343 for yourselves G5213 treasures G2344 upon G1909 earth, G1093 where G3699 moth G4597 and G2532 rust G1035 doth corrupt, G853 and G2532 where G3699 thieves G2812 break through G1358 and G2532 steal: G2813 But G1161 lay up G2343 for yourselves G5213 treasures G2344 in G1722 heaven, G3772 where G3699 neither G3777 moth G4597 nor G3777 rust G1035 doth corrupt, G853 and G2532 where G3699 thieves G2812 do G1358 not G3756 break through G1358 nor G3761 steal: G2813
And G1161 he said G3004 to G4314 them all, G3956 If any man G1536 will G2309 come G2064 after G3694 me, G3450 let him deny G533 himself, G1438 and G2532 take up G142 his G846 cross G4716 daily, G2250 G2596 and G2532 follow G190 me. G3427
For G2532 G1063 ye had compassion G4834 of me in my G3450 bonds, G1199 and G2532 took G4327 joyfully G3326 G5479 the spoiling G724 of your G5216 goods, G5224 knowing G1097 in G1722 yourselves G1438 that ye have G2192 in G1722 heaven G3772 a better G2909 and G2532 an enduring G3306 substance. G5223
Charge G3853 them that are rich G4145 in G1722 this G3568 world, G165 that they be G5309 not G3361 highminded, G5309 nor G3366 trust G1679 in G1909 uncertain G83 riches, G4149 but G235 in G1722 the living G2198 God, G2316 who G3588 giveth G3930 us G2254 richly G4146 all things G3956 to G1519 enjoy; G619 That they do good, G14 that they be rich G4147 in G1722 good G2570 works, G2041 ready to distribute, G1511 G2130 willing to communicate; G2843 Laying up in store G597 for themselves G1438 a good G2570 foundation G2310 against G1519 the time to come, G3195 that G2443 they may lay hold on G1949 eternal G166 life. G2222
And G1161 the multitude G4128 of them that believed G4100 were G2258 of one heart G2588 and G2532 of one G3391 soul: G5590 neither G2532 G3761 said G3004 any G1520 of them that ought G5100 of the things which he G846 possessed G5224 was G1511 his own; G2398 but G235 they G846 had G2258 all things G537 common. G2839 And G2532 with great G3173 power G1411 gave G591 the apostles G652 witness G3142 of the resurrection G386 of the Lord G2962 Jesus: G2424 and G5037 great G3173 grace G5485 was G2258 upon G1909 them G846 all. G3956 Neither G3761 G1063 was G5225 there any G5100 among G1722 them G846 that lacked: G1729 for G1063 as many as G3745 were G5225 possessors G2935 of lands G5564 or G2228 houses G3614 sold them, G4453 and brought G5342 the prices G5092 of the things that were sold, G4097 And G2532 laid them down G5087 at G3844 the apostles' G652 feet: G4228 and G1161 distribution was made G1239 unto every man G1538 according G2530 as G302 he had G2192 need. G5100 G5532
If G1437 any man G5100 serve G1247 me, G1698 let him follow G190 me; G1698 and G2532 where G3699 I G1473 am, G1510 there G1563 shall G2071 also G2532 my G1699 servant G1249 be: G2071 G2532 if G1437 any man G5100 serve G1247 me, G1698 him G846 will G5091 my Father G3962 honour. G5091
My G1699 sheep G4263 hear G191 my G3450 voice, G5456 and I G2504 know G1097 them, G846 and G2532 they follow G190 me: G3427
And G2532 after G3326 these things G5023 he went forth, G1831 and G2532 saw G2300 a publican, G5057 named G3686 Levi, G3018 sitting G2521 at G1909 the receipt of custom: G5058 and G2532 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Follow G190 me. G3427
And G2532 as he passed by, G3855 he saw G1492 Levi G3018 the son of Alphaeus G256 sitting G2521 at G1909 the receipt of custom, G5058 and G2532 said G3004 unto him, G846 Follow G190 me. G3427 And G2532 he arose G450 and followed G190 him. G846
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
Not G3756 as though G3754 I had already G2235 attained, G2983 either G2228 were already G2235 perfect: G5048 but G1161 I follow after, G1377 if G1499 that I may apprehend G2638 that for G1909 which G3739 also G2532 I am apprehended G2638 of G5259 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 Brethren, G80 I G1473 count G3049 not G3756 myself G1683 to have apprehended: G2638 but G1161 this one thing G1520 I do, forgetting G1950 those things G3303 which are behind, G3694 and G1161 reaching forth unto G1901 those things which are before, G1715 I press G1377 toward G2596 the mark G4649 for G1909 the prize G1017 of the high G507 calling G2821 of God G2316 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 Let G5426 us therefore, G3767 as many as G3745 be perfect, G5046 be G5426 thus G5124 minded: G5426 and G2532 if in any thing G1536 ye be G5426 otherwise G2088 minded, G5426 God G2316 shall reveal G601 even G2532 this G5124 unto you. G5213
And G2532 when he had called G4341 the people G3793 unto him with G4862 his G846 disciples G3101 also, he said G2036 unto them, G846 Whosoever G3748 will G2309 come G2064 after G3694 me, G3450 let him deny G533 himself, G1438 and G2532 take up G142 his G846 cross, G4716 and G2532 follow G190 me. G3427
And as G2532 Jesus G2424 passed forth G3855 from thence, G1564 he saw G1492 a man, G444 named G3004 Matthew, G3156 sitting G2521 at G1909 the receipt of custom: G5058 and G2532 he saith G3004 unto him, G846 Follow G190 me. G3427 And G2532 he arose, G450 and followed G190 him. G846
Whosoever G3739 G1437 therefore G3767 shall break G3089 one G3391 of these G5130 least G1646 commandments, G1785 and G2532 shall teach G1321 men G444 so, G3779 he shall be called G2564 the least G1646 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of heaven: G3772 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 shall do G4160 and G2532 teach G1321 them, the same G3778 shall be called G2564 great G3173 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of heaven. G3772 For G1063 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 except G3362 your G5216 righteousness G1343 shall exceed G4052 G4119 the righteousness of the scribes G1122 and G2532 Pharisees, G5330 ye shall in no case G3364 enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of heaven. G3772
Mark H8104 the perfect H8535 man, and behold H7200 the upright: H3477 for the end H319 of that man H376 is peace. H7965
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.