Matthew
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Matthew 19
Matthew 19
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judæa beyond the Jordan; 2and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
1And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan;
2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3The 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?
Commentary · verses 1-3
4And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?
6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Commentary · verses 4-6
Jesus answered the question relative to two believing spouses ("what God had joined together"), they should not put each other away ("put asunder"). They could divorce, but putting away was used to remove an unbelieving spouse from the greater community. God joining the two together meant the spouses were both believers. God does not join every Marriage. God does not join marriages involving unbelievers. If He did, then He would be adjusting to us...which is idolatry. So, Jesus' answer about putting away focused on a specific case: believers should not be put away. Believers should not be removed from the greater community if they are still believers.
This was not Jesus saying that people could/should not get divorced.
7They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?
8He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.
7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8He 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.
9And 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.
Commentary · verses 7-9
The Pharisees turned the question to divorce. Jesus said divorce was given as a solution to the hardness of our hearts. Some people try to make this quote from Jesus to mean that divorce is wrong. Why? Because it is a solution to the hardness of our hearts? Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross was also a solution to the hardness of our hearts. Would these same people say Jesus' death on the cross was a sin?
Putting Away and Divorce are two different Doctrine.
Jesus then gave more details about believers putting away believing spouses. Jesus said that believers putting away a spouse for any reason other than fornication (unbelief through covenanting with other gods either directly or through sex with unbelievers) would result in adultery because God still considered both spouses to be believers and therefore still married to each other.
Remember, the context of the original question was relative to the Law. This was the only answer Jesus could have given and specifically supported His answer with the Law. Notice, Jesus did not answer the original question in the following application: Does a believing spouse have to put away an unbelieving spouse according to the Law. There was not an answer to that question according to the Law.
10The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.
10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Commentary · verse 10
The Disciples stated that it must be better to not marry because putting away was common during that time.
11But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
12For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12For 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.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Jesus corrected them by saying that these sayings were not for all men. Not every man is gifted to marry so Jesus could not say that this applied to all men or not. If Jesus did, He would be denying and abusing the principle of uniqueness.
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17And 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.
Commentary · verses 13-17
A man came to Jesus and called Him "Teacher" (also translated as "Good Master"). Jesus asked why the man called Him that since good only comes from God. This was a way of asking the man if he considered Jesus to be the Son of God. Then Jesus told the man to do the commandments to have eternal life.
18He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
18He 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,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Commentary · verses 18-19
The man asked what commandments and Jesus gave him a list.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21Jesus 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.
Commentary · verses 20-21
The man told Jesus that he had kept these commandments from his youth and asked what he lacked, what he would need to do to be perfect (maximum profitability). Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven, and then to follow Him (Jesus).
Notice, there were two requirements:
- The first was to sell all he had and give to the poor. To that, Jesus replied the man would have treasure (Reward) in heaven.
- Then, Jesus said to follow Him, for Salvation.
Jesus covered Salvation and Reward. There is nothing more than this. Many "experts" quote this passage and leave out "...and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:." They are mistaken in that Jesus did not ask for anything without giving something more in return.
22But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Commentary · verse 22
The man would not do this. Clearly his money/possessions were his god.
23And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
26And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24And 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.
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Commentary · verses 23-26
Jesus again explained that it was hard for a rich man to enter heaven. Most rich people live comfortable lives and have to learn by experience, which can take longer if they use their money to solve problems. But, with God all things are possible.
This statement is often abused. Remember, God is always completely Right and always completely Just…He cannot be wrong or unjust. The context of the statement "with God all things are possible" was concerning rich men entering the Kingdom of God. Essentially, Jesus was saying, "yes, it is hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God but it is definitely still possible."
Doctrines on this passage
27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?
27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Commentary · verse 27
Peter wanted to know what was in it for the Disciples.
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
28And 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.
Commentary · verse 28
When Jesus sits in the throne of His Glory, the Disciples will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.
29And 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.
Commentary · verse 29
Forsaking things and people (even parents and children) for Christ results in eternal life and Reward.
30But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.
30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Jesus was going to Jerusalem from Galilee. Verse 1 stated that when Jesus reached the borders of Judaea the Pharisees appeared to be waiting for Him. The Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus by asking a question that did not have a correct answer. The Law did not deal with putting away; it dealt with divorce.
Putting Away and Divorce are two different Doctrine.