Matthew 19
Category:New Testament -> Matthew
19:1 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;
19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
19:3 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?
19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
(19:4-5) Is Jesus praising marriage and condemning polygamy here?
Is marriage a good thing?
Is polygamy OK?
19:5 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?
19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Is divorce ever permissible?
19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
19:8 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.
19:9 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.
“Except it be for fornication”
In Mark (10:11) and Luke (16:18), Jesus categorically condemns all divorces. But Matthew’‘s Jesus (see also Mt.5:31) makes an exception when the wife is guilty of fornication.
Is divorce ever permissible?
19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
(19:10-12) After Jesus denounces divorce, his disciples say that if divorce isn’‘t allowed, then "it is good not to marry." Jesus agrees by saying that it is better to make yourself a eunuch "for the kingdom of heaven’‘s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Many have castrated themselves attempting to follow Jesus’’ advice in this verse.
Is marriage a good thing?
Dangerous words from a guy who recommends cutting of body parts if they cause you to sin (Mt.5:29-30, [The Bible:Matthew 18|Mt.18:8-9]], Mk.9:43-48). It might make someone castrate himself so that he could be one of the 144,000 male virgins, who alone will make it to heaven (Rev.14:3-4).
19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
19:12 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.
19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
“Such is the kingdom of heaven”
Is it good to be childish?
19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
(19:16-17) “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Is salvation by faith alone?
What must you do to be saved?
19:17 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.
(19:17) “There is none good but ... God.”
Is Jesus God?
19:18 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,
(19:18) “Thou shalt do no murder, ... Thou shalt not steal”
To kill or not to kill
Is it OK to steal?
19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
19:21 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.
19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(19:23-24) “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.”
Rich people don’‘t go to heaven.
Is it OK to be rich?
What must you do to be saved?
What the Bible says about rich people
19:24 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.
19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
“With God all things are possible.”
Can God do anything?
19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
19:28 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.
19:29 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.
Abandon your wife and children for Jesus and he’‘ll give you a big reward.
19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
BOM: Jacob 5:63, 1 Nephi 13:42
Christian Responses
Waterrock
Matthew 19:4-5 - Marriage And Celibacy
Matthew 19:9 - Except for Fornication
Matthew 19:10-12 - Eunuchs For Heaven’s Sake
Matthew 19:14 - Of Such Is The Kingdom Of Heaven
Matthew 19:16-19 - If You Want To Enter Life…
Matthew 19:17-18 - Which Commandments?
Matthew 19:23-24 - Through The Eye Of A Needle
Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible
Matthew 19:29 - Leaving It All For Jesus
