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19 And it was done, when Jesus had ended these words, he passed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea over Jordan.

And much people followed him [And many companies followed him], and he healed them there.

And the Pharisees came to him, tempting him, and said, Whether it be leaveful to a man to leave his wife, for any cause?[a]

Which answered, and said to them, Have ye not read, for he that made men at the beginning, made them male and female?

And he said, For this thing a man shall leave father and mother, and he shall draw to his wife [and he shall cleave, or draw, to his wife]; and they shall be twain in one flesh.

And so they be not now twain, but one flesh. Therefore man separate not that thing that God hath joined [together]. [Therefore they be not two, but one flesh. Therefore a man part not that thing that God enjoined, or knit together.]

They say to him, What then commanded Moses, to give a libel of forsaking, and to leave of. [They say to him, What then commanded Moses, to give a little book of forsaking, and to forsake.]

And he said to them, For Moses, for the hardness of your heart, suffered you to leave your wives [And he saith to them, For Moses, at the hardness of your heart, suffered you to forsake your wives]; but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say to you, that whoever leaveth his wife, but for fornication, and weddeth another, doeth lechery [doeth adultery]; and he that weddeth the forsaken wife, doeth lechery [doeth adultery].

10 His disciples say to him, If the cause of a man with his wife is so, it speedeth not to be wedded [it speedeth not to wed].

11 And he said to them, Not all men take this word; but they to which it is given [but to whom it is given].

12 For there be geldings, which be so born of the mother's womb [which be thus born of their mother's womb]; and there be geldings, that be made of men; and there be geldings, that have gelded themselves, for the kingdom of heavens. He that may take, take he.

13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should put [his] hands to them, and pray. And the disciples blamed them.

14 But Jesus said to them, Suffer ye that little children come to me, and do not ye forbid them [But Jesus said to them, Suffer ye little children come to me, and do not ye forbid them to come to me]; for of such is the kingdom of heavens.

15 And when he had put to them hands, he went from thence. [And when he had put to them hands, he went thence.]

16 And lo! one came, and said to him, Good master, what good [thing] shall I do, that I have everlasting life?

17 Which saith to him, What askest thou me of good thing? There is one good God [Which said to him, What askest thou me of good thing? One is good God]. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith to him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not do manslaying, thou shalt not do adultery, thou shalt not do theft, thou shalt not say false witnessing;

19 worship thy father and thy mother [honour thou thy father and thy mother], and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith to him, I have kept all these things from my youth, what yet faileth to me?

21 Jesus saith to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, and sell all things that thou hast, and give to poor men, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me.

22 And when the young man had heard these words, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, I say to you truth, for a rich man of hard shall enter into the kingdom of heavens. [Forsooth Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, for of hard a rich man shall enter into the realm of heavens.]

24 And again I say to you, it is lighter a camel to pass through a needle's eye[b], than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heavens.

25 When these things were heard, the disciples wondered greatly, and said [Truly these words heard, the disciples wondered greatly, saying], Who then may be safe?

26 Jesus beheld, and said to them, With men this thing is impossible; but with God all things be possible.

27 Then Peter answered, and said to him, Lo! we have forsaken all things, and we have followed thee; what then shall be to us [what therefore shall be to us]?

28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that ye that have forsaken all things, and have followed me, in the regeneration when man's Son shall sit in the seat of his majesty, [also] ye shall sit on twelve seats [and ye shall sit on twelve seats, or sieges], deeming the twelve kindreds of Israel.

29 And every man that forsaketh house, [or] brethren or sisters [or brethren, or sistren], [or] father or mother, [or] wife or children, or fields, for my name, he shall take an hundredfold, and shall wield everlasting life.

30 But many shall be, the first the last, and the last the first.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:3 And Pharisees came nigh to him, tempting him, and saying, Whether it is leaveful for a man to leave, or forsake, his wife, for whatever cause?
  2. Matthew 19:24 And again I say to you, it is easier a camel for to pass through the hole of a needle

Christ gives answer concerning marriage, accepts the young children, and teaches not to be full of cares, nor to love worldly riches.

19 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished those sayings, he left Galilee, and went into the region of Judea, beyond the Jordan. And crowds of people followed him, and he healed them there. Then the Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any reason at all? He answered and said to them, Have you not read how it was that he who made man at the beginning made them man and woman, and said, For this thing shall a man leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh? So then, now they are not two, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put apart that which God has joined together.

Then they said to him, Why did Moses direct to give a testimonial of divorce and to put her away? He said to them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives. But from the beginning it was not so. I say therefore to you, whoever puts away his wife (unless it be for fornication) and marries another, breaks wedlock. And whoever marries her who is divorced, commits adultery.

10 Then Jesus’ disciples said to him, If this is the case between man and wife, then it is not good to marry. 11 He said to them, Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 Some are chaste who were so born from their mother’s womb. And others are chaste who were made so by men. And others are chaste who have made themselves chaste for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who can receive it, let him receive it.

13 Then young children were brought to him so that he could put his hands on them and pray. And the disciples rebuked the people. 14 But Jesus said, Allow the children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And when he had put his hands on them, he departed from there.

16 And a man came and said to Jesus, Good Teacher, what good thing should I do so that I may have eternal life? 17 He said to him, Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, and that is God. But if you would enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 The other asked him, Which? And Jesus said, Break no wedlock. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. 19 Honour father and mother. And love your neighbour as yourself.

20 The young man said to him, I have observed all these things from my youth. What do I yet lack? 21 And Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me.

22 When the young man heard these words, he went away grieved, for he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And moreover 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 into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard that, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 Jesus regarded them and said to them, With men it is not possible, but with God all things are possible.

27 Then Peter answered and said to him, Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What will we have?

28 Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, when the Son of man sits in the seat of his majesty, you who have followed me in the new birth shall sit also upon twelve seats and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And whosoever gives up houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, the same shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

19 2 The sick are healed. 3 and 7 A bill of divorcement. 12 Eunuchs. 13 Children brought to Christ. 17 God only good. The commandments must be kept. 21 A perfect man. 23 A rich man. 26 Salvation cometh of God. 27 To leave all and follow Christ.

And (A)it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he [a]departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan.

And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

[b]Then came unto him the Pharisees tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to [c]put away his wife upon every occasion?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, (B)that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female,

And said, (C)For this cause, shall a man leave father and mother, and [d]cleave unto his wife, and they which were [e]two, shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put asunder that, which God hath [f]coupled together.

[g]They said to him, Why did then (D) Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

He said unto them, Moses, [h]because of the hardness of your heart, [i]suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

I say therefore unto you, (E)that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be [j]for whoredom, and marry another, commiteth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her which is divorced, doth commit adultery.

10 Then said his disciples to him, If the [k]matter be so between man and wife, it is not good to marry.

11 [l]But he said unto them, All men cannot [m]receive this thing, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some [n]eunuchs, which were so born of their mother’s belly: and there be some eunuchs, which be gelded by men: and there be some eunuchs, which have [o]gelded themselves for the kingdom of heaven. He that is able to receive this, let him receive it.

13 (F)[p]Then were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And when he had put his hands on them, he departed thence.

16 (G)[q]And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why called thou me good? there is none good but one, even God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments.

18 He said unto him, Which? And Jesus said, (H)These, Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness.

19 Honor thy father, and mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

20 The young man said unto him, I have observed all these things from my youth. What lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If [r]thou wilt be perfect, go, sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, and follow me.

22 And when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 [s]Then Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is [t]easier for a [u]camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 And when his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 And Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

27 (I)Then answered Peter, and said to him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what therefore shall we have?

28 [v]And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say to you, that when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his Majesty, ye which followed me in the [w]regeneration, (J)shall sit also upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And whosoever shall forsake houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Name’s sake, he shall receive an hundredfold more, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 (K)[x]But many that are first, shall be last, and the last shall be first.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:1 Passed over the water out of Galilee into the borders of Judea.
  2. Matthew 19:3 The band of marriage ought not to be broken, unless it be for fornication.
  3. Matthew 19:3 To send her a book of divorcement, see also Matt. 1:19.
  4. Matthew 19:5 The Greek word imported to be glued unto, whereby is signified that straight knot, which is between man and wife, as though they were glued together.
  5. Matthew 19:5 They which were two, become as it were one: and this word flesh is by a figure taken for the whole man, or the body after the manner of the Hebrews.
  6. Matthew 19:6 Hath made them yoke fellows, as the marriage itself is by a borrowed kind of speech called a yoke.
  7. Matthew 19:7 Because political Laws are constrained to bear with some things, it followeth not by and by that God alloweth them.
  8. Matthew 19:8 Being occasioned by reason of the hardness of your hearts.
  9. Matthew 19:8 By a political law, not by the moral law: for this law is a perpetual law of God’s justice, the other boweth and bendeth as the carpenter’s Bevel.
  10. Matthew 19:9 Therefore in these days the Laws that were made against adulterers were not regarded: for they should have needed no divorcement, if marriage had been cut asunder with punishment by death.
  11. Matthew 19:10 If the matter stands so between man and wife, or in marriage.
  12. Matthew 19:11 The gift of continency is peculiar, and therefore no man can set a Law to himself of perpetual continency.
  13. Matthew 19:11 Receive and admit, as by translation we say, that a straight and narrow place is not able to receive many things.
  14. Matthew 19:12 The word Eunuch is a general word, and hath divers kinds under it, as gelded men and barren men.
  15. Matthew 19:12 Which abstain from marriage, and live continently through the gift of God.
  16. Matthew 19:13 Infants and little children are contained in the free covenant of God.
  17. Matthew 19:16 They neither know themselves nor the Law, that seek to be saved by the Law.
  18. Matthew 19:21 The young man did not answer truly in saying that he had kept all the commandments: and therefore he layeth out an example of true charity before him, to show the disease that lay lurking in his mind.
  19. Matthew 19:23 Rich men have need of a singular gift of God, to escape out of the snares of Satan.
  20. Matthew 19:24 Word for word, it is of less labor.
  21. Matthew 19:24 Theophylact noteth, that by this word is meant a cable rope, but Caninius allegeth out of the Talmuds that it is a proverb, and the word Camel, signifieth the beast itself.
  22. Matthew 19:28 It is not lost, that is neglected for God’s sake.
  23. Matthew 19:28 The regeneration is taken for that day, wherein the elect shall begin to live a new life, that is to say, when they shall enjoy the heavenly inheritance, both in body and soul.
  24. Matthew 19:30 To have begun well, and not to continue unto the end, doth not only not profit, but also hurteth very much.

19 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judæa beyond Jordan; and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

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? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 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? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 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. 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.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 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.

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 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. 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 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 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. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 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. 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. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Divorce(A)

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things,(B) he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them(C) there.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife(D) for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a](E) 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’[b]?(F) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”(G)

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”(H)

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.(I) 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus(J)

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them(K) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs(L) to such as these.”(M) 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(N)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life(O)?”(P)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”(Q)

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery,(R) you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[c](S) and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[d](T)

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect,(U) go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,(V) and you will have treasure in heaven.(W) Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich(X) to 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 someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Y)

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!(Z) What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(AA) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(AB) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.(AC) 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.(AD)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:4 Gen. 1:27
  2. Matthew 19:5 Gen. 2:24
  3. Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  4. Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18
  5. Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts do not have or wife.