Mat 19 | LEB | STEP | And it happened that when Jesus had finished these statements, he went away from Galilee and came into the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan.

Matthew 19

On Divorce

1 And it happened that when Jesus had finished these statements, he went away from Galilee and came into the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And Pharisees came up to him in order to ^{▼▼*Here “in order to” is supplied as a component of the participle (“test”) which is understood as purpose} test him, and asked ^{▼▼*Here the participle (“asked”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style} if it was permitted for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. 4 And he answered and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb} said, “Have you not read that the one who created them ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} from the beginning made them male and female 5 and said, ‘On account of this a man will leave his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} father and his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? ^{▼▼A quotation from Gen 2:24} 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} to give a document—a certificate of divorce—and to divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, with reference to your hardness of heart, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not like this. 9 Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the basis of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” ^{▼▼Some manuscripts omit “and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery”}

10 The disciples ^{▼▼Some manuscripts have “His disciples”} said to him, “If this is the case of a man with his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} wife, it would be better not to marry!” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this saying but those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born as such from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by people, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs ^{▼▼An understood repetition of the term from earlier in the verse} for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} let him accept it.” ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation}

Little Children Brought to Jesus

13 Then children were brought to him so that he could lay his ^{▼▼Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Allow the children, and do not forbid them to come to me, ⌞for to such belongs⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “for of such is”} the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} hands on them and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“laid”) has been translated as a finite verb} traveled on from there.

A Rich Young Man

16 And behold, someone came up to him and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb} said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do so that I will have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why are you asking me about what is good? There is one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments!” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “Do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} father and your ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the proceeds ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} to the poor—and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.” 22 But when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal} the young man heard the statement, he went away sorrowful, because he was one who had many possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I say to you that with difficulty a rich person will enter into 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 a rich person into ^{▼▼Some manuscripts have “to enter into”} the kingdom of God.” 25 So when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal} the disciples heard this, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} they were extremely amazed, saying, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“looked at”) has been translated as a finite verb} said to them, “With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter answered and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb} said to him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that in the renewal of the world, ^{▼▼The words “of the world” are supplied as a clarification of “renewal”} when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me—you also will 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 wife ^{▼▼Some manuscripts omit “or wife”} or children or fields on account of my name will receive a hundred times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.