Matthew 19

Teaching About Divorce

1 Now it came to pass, a when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 b And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who 1 made them at the beginning c 'made them male and female,' 2 5 "and said, d 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and e the two shall become one flesh'? 3 6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, f "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the g hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your h wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 i "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for 4 sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

10 His disciples said to Him, j "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But He said to them, k "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 "For there are 5 eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and l there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Let the Children Come to Me

13 m Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for n of such is the kingdom of heaven." 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

The Rich Young Man

16 o Now behold, one came and said to Him, p "Good 6 Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, 7 "Why do you call Me good? 8 No one is q good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, r keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, s "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 t 'Honor your father and your mother,' 9 and, u 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 10 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have v kept 11 from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, w go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that x it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but y with God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, z we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" 28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, a you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 b "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother 12 or wife or children or 13 lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 c "But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 19:1 - 9
    Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
    Mark 10:1 - 12
    Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
    John 10:40
    And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 12:15
    But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 1:27
    So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
    Genesis 5:2
    He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.
    Malachi 2:15
    But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
    Mark 10:5 - 9
    And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
    Ephesians 5:31
    "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:16
    Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh.
    1 Corinthians 7:2
    Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
  6. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 24:1 - 4
    When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house.
    Matthew 5:31
    "Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'
  7. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:15
    While it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
  8. Cross References
    Malachi 2:16
    "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously."
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 5:32
    But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
    Mark 10:11
    So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
    Luke 16:18
    Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
    1 Corinthians 7:10
    Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:19
    Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:2
    Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
    1 Corinthians 7:7
    For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
    1 Corinthians 7:9
    But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
    1 Corinthians 7:17
    But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:32
    But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord - how he may please the Lord.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 20:31
    Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!
    Mark 10:13
    Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
    Luke 18:15
    Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you ...
    Matthew 18:4
    Therefore whoever humbles himself as this littl...
    Mark 10:15
    "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not rece...
    Luke 18:17
    "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not rece...
    1 Corinthians 14:20
    Brethren, do not be children in understanding; ...
    1 Peter 2:2
    As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the w...
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 19:16 - 29
    Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?
    Mark 10:17 - 30
    Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
    Luke 18:18 - 30
    Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
  16. Cross References
    Luke 10:25
    And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 25:8
    Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
    Psalms 34:8
    Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
    Nahum 1:7
    The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
  18. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:5
    You shall therefore keep My statutes and My jud...
    Deuteronomy 4:40
    "You shall therefore keep His statutes and His ...
    Deuteronomy 6:17
    You shall diligently keep the commandments of t...
    Deuteronomy 7:11
    Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the s...
    Deuteronomy 11:22
    For if you carefully keep all these commandment...
    Deuteronomy 28:9
    The LORD will establish you as a holy people to...
    Nehemiah 9:29
    And testified against them, That You might brin...
    Ezekiel 20:21
    Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against ...
    Galatians 3:10
    For as many as are of the works of the law are ...
  19. Cross References
    Exodus 20:13 - 16
    You shall not murder.
    Deuteronomy 5:17 - 20
    You shall not murder.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 20:12 - 16
    Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
    Deuteronomy 5:16 - 20
    Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
    Matthew 15:4
    "For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother' ; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'
  21. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
    Matthew 22:39
    "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
    Romans 13:9
    For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
    Galatians 5:14
    For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
    James 2:8
    If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
  22. Cross References
    Philippians 3:6
    Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
    Philippians 3:7
    But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 6:20
    But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ...
    Luke 12:33
    Sell what you have and give alms; provide yours...
    Acts 2:45
    And sold their possessions and goods, and divid...
    Acts 4:34
    Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for...
    Acts 4:35
    And laid them at the apostles' feet; and they d...
    1 Timothy 6:18
    Let them do good, that they be rich in good wor...
    1 Timothy 6:19
    Storing up for themselves a good foundation for...
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 13:22
    Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
    Mark 10:24
    And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
    1 Corinthians 1:26
    For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
    1 Timothy 6:9
    But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 18:14
    "Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appo...
    Numbers 11:23
    And the LORD said to Moses, "Has the LORD's arm...
    Job 42:2
    I know that You can do everything, And that no ...
    Isaiah 59:1
    Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That ...
    Jeremiah 32:17
    Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens...
    Zechariah 8:6
    Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'If it is marvelou...
    Luke 1:37
    "For with God nothing will be impossible."
  26. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 33:9
    Who says of his father and mother, 'I have not seen them'; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Or know his own children; For they have observed Your word And kept Your covenant.
    Matthew 4:20
    They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
    Luke 5:11
    So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
  27. Cross References
    Matthew 20:21
    And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.
    Luke 22:28 - 30
    But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
    1 Corinthians 6:2
    Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
    Revelation 2:26
    And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations -
  28. Cross References
    Matthew 6:33
    But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
    Mark 10:29
    So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's.
    Mark 10:30
    Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time - houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life.
    Luke 18:29
    So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God.
    Luke 18:30
    "who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."
  29. Cross References
    Matthew 20:16
    "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."
    Matthew 21:31
    Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
    Matthew 21:32
    For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
    Mark 10:31
    "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
    Luke 13:30
    "And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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