The Gospel According to
Matthew 19
30 verses≈ 5 min4 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
Teachings about Divorce
When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.
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Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
South toward Jerusalem
Jesus leaves Galilee and heads for “the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.” Instead of the direct road through Samaria, He goes down the east side of the river. Jerusalem is now ahead.
Pharisees & scribes
Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
Jesus
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Back to the beginning
Whiteboard
The Pharisees started with Moses’ rule about a certificate. Jesus starts further back, with the Creator who “made them male and female.” The law made room for hard hearts. The King calls His people back to what God meant from the start.
The disciples
His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”
Jesus
“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Jesus Blesses the Children
Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
0:23
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these
Matthew 19:14
Reflect
Do not hinder them
The disciples thought the children were in the way. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them!” Who in your life might be kept from Jesus by people who think they are too small to matter? And what in you still feels too small for Him?
The Rich Young Man
The rich young man
Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?”
Jesus replied.
Jesus
“There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
The rich young man
“Which ones?” the man asked.
Jesus
Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The rich young man
“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
Then come, follow Me.
Matthew 19:21
When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
Question
Quick question
Matthew’s list of the commandments Jesus gave the young man has one line that Mark and Luke leave out.
Which command appears only in Matthew’s version of the list?
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
many who are first will be last, and the last will be first
Matthew 19:30
Pray
With God
The disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus answered, “with God all things are possible.” Bring Him the thing you cannot let go of, or the person you think is too far gone, and ask Him to do what only He can do.
You’ve experienced
Matthew 19
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A verse to carry with you
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
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