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.
Chapter 19 of the Book of Matthew presents a series of teachings and interactions that Jesus had with his disciples and the people around him. This chapter explores themes like marriage, divorce, celibacy, wealth, and the Kingdom of Heaven. It provides a profound insight into the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus, highlighting his wisdom, compassion, strictness, and his radical approach to the norms of the society.
The chapter begins with the Pharisees trying to test Jesus with a question about divorce. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" (Matthew 19:3). Jesus, in response, refers to the original design of God at creation, emphasizing that "He which made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4), and that "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" (Matthew 19:5). He concludes by stating, "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6).
Jesus' response emphasizes the sanctity and permanence of the marital bond, as intended by God. It challenges the practice of easy divorce prevalent in the society of his time. When the Pharisees counter-argued by referring to the Mosaic Law that allowed divorce, Jesus pointed out that it was due to the hardness of their hearts that Moses permitted it, but "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8). He then sets a new standard by stating that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).
The disciples, finding Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce hard, suggested that it is better not to marry. Jesus responded by introducing the concept of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He acknowledged that this is a difficult teaching, and it is not for everyone, except for those to whom it has been given. He categorizes those who can accept this teaching into three groups: eunuchs who were born that way, eunuchs who were made so by others, and eunuchs who have chosen to live that way for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:10-12).
Jesus' teaching on celibacy is radical and counter-cultural. He elevates the status of eunuchs, who were often marginalized in society, by associating them with the Kingdom of Heaven. He also challenges the societal norms and expectations about marriage and procreation, affirming the value of singlehood and celibacy when it is for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The next section of the chapter presents a beautiful scene where people were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, perhaps thinking that Jesus should not be bothered with such trivial matters. But Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14), and he laid his hands on them and blessed them.
This incident reveals Jesus' love and concern for children and his view of them as significant members of the Kingdom of Heaven. It challenges the societal view that undervalues children and treats them as less important. It also provides a model for his followers to welcome, bless, and value children.
The chapter concludes with Jesus' encounter with a rich young man who asked him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16). Jesus first corrected his understanding of goodness, stating that only God is good. He then referred him to the commandments. When the young man claimed to have kept all the commandments and asked what he still lacked, Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him. But the young man went away sad because he had great wealth.
Jesus' interaction with the rich young man reveals the danger of wealth becoming an obstacle to entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus stated, "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" (Matthew 19:24). This statement shocked his disciples, who wondered who then can be saved. Jesus responded by emphasizing God's power to save, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).
This teaching challenges the societal view that equates wealth with success and blessing. It calls for a radical detachment from wealth and a commitment to follow Jesus, which may involve sacrificial giving to the poor. It also reassures that salvation is not dependent on human effort, but on God's grace and power.
Chapter 19 of the Book of Matthew presents a comprehensive view of the Kingdom of Heaven and the call to radical discipleship. It challenges the societal norms about marriage, divorce, celibacy, children, and wealth. It calls for a radical commitment to uphold the sanctity of marriage, to embrace celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, to value and bless children, and to detach from wealth and follow Jesus. It reassures that while these are humanly impossible, with God all things are possible.
The teachings and interactions of Jesus in this chapter provide a model for his followers to live by. They challenge us to examine our attitudes towards marriage, divorce, celibacy, children, and wealth. They call us to a radical discipleship that is willing to go against the societal norms for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. They also reassure us of God's grace and power to enable us to live up to these high standards.
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