Matthew 19 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Matthew 19

Teaching About Divorce

19:1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”¹

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

Let the Children Come to Me

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

The Rich Young Man

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,² when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold³ and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Footnotes

[1] 19:9 Some manuscripts add and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; other manuscripts except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery
[2] 19:28 Greek in the regeneration
[3] 19:29 Some manuscripts manifold

Commentary

v1-2: Chapters 19-25 are the 'final lap,' as Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem. He deals with problems and conflicts, and addresses issues of spiritual character. Some are still healed, although Matthew makes no further comment, and the other gospel writers mention few healings.

v3: Jesus uses the Pharisees' question to teach on marriage. There are clearly seeking to trick Him into saying something wrong. At the time there was a debate amongst the religious leaders about divorce. Some, it seems, were seeking a legal divorce to indulge their lustful desires, to effectively trade in their old wife for a younger model!

There was a first century debate over the meaning of Deut 24.1-4. Some promoted a very liberal view that allowed divorce for 'any and every reason.' Lord Jesus spoke clearly into the debate, upholding the "creation ordinance' of marriage, and also providing comment on the circumstances behind Deut 24.

v4-6: Jesus presents the root of the teaching of marriage;

Based on Scripture, not human ideas or tradition. In order to settle an argument, Christ turned to the OT, confident in its accuracy and authority. Argument ends here. Also here, He quotes from the very start of the Bible, which is often regarded as doubtful. The fact that Christ did not share this doubt is significant.
From God; it is His 'idea,' and therefore must be good;
Two persons become "one flesh," thereby bringing an exclusive relationship, into which others are not party, and which implies that separation and divorce are inappropriate.

v7-8: A genuine question about a particular incident, which is in Scripture. Certain things were permitted "because your hearts were hard." The mass of Jews has remained hard hearted, and the people addressed by Jesus are as guilty as their forefathers.

v9: Divorce and remarriage, except in specific circumstances, results in adultery, see 5.32; 1 Cor 7.

v10: The disciples fear that Jesus' teaching is too hard; but where He commands, He gives strength to obey.

v11-12: The place of celibacy; an option, not a command; a route chosen by some to allow an individual to serve God more effectively. Even the OT priest, although governed by extra regulations, was allowed to marry.

It was unusual for a Jewish man to remain single; it implied something was wrong with him. Jesus referred to those born eunuchs or made eunuchs by men, which any Jew would have accepted. He also introduced the concept that a man might remain single to serve God. Paul makes a similar comment in 1 Cor 7.8, 32-33.

In the church, singleness should not be loneliness, for the individual is part of a genuine community.

v13-15: Gentiles would mistreat children, and even Jews are dismissive of children; but the way of the Lord is quite different. We must also be careful of our attitudes, lest we justify sins in our lives.

v16-17: The twofold challenge, as the Lord responds to the rich man's question;

To accept Jesus Christ as "good," the only true God; and
To enter life through obedience; not the same as inheriting eternal life.

v18-20: The rich man seeks to restrict his obedience to specific areas; 'Surely that is enough,' is his reply.

v21: Sacrifice is a proof of our love for Christ;

this is perfect (mature) faith;
the command of Christ is to give;
seeking treasure in Heaven.

v22: The rich young ruler,

preferred his penny;
refused Christ's command;
went away sad.

He clings to something he cannot keep, and loses immeasurable and eternal blessings. 'He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, that he might gain what he cannot lose.' The question comes, 'Is Jesus Christ worth it?' to which this man answered, 'No!'

v23-25: Referring to the previous incident, Jesus speaks of man's love for money.

Again, as in v10, the disciples are astonished, 'Surely you cannot mean that,' as they realise that the Lord's words are uncompromising; but again He explains exactly what He means.

v26: Nothing is impossible with God, and no command of Jesus is impossible to obey.

v27: This incident, as with others, presents an opportunity for teaching and explanation.

v28-29: The great reward for those who follow Christ.

The 'new world,' or, better, 'in the regeneration.' This is a reference to the rebirth of creation itself, the new heavans and bew earth, as mentioned in Is 65.17, 66.22; 2 Peter 3.13.

v30: The possibility of missing out on great blessings. There are those who expect to be accepted by God, but will miss out.