Teaching on Marriage and Divorce
Study note
The Pharisees test Jesus with a question about divorce, and he responds by pointing back to God's original design in creation: one man and one woman joined together as one flesh. Moses permitted divorce because of human hardheartedness, but Jesus restores the ideal of marriage as a permanent, sacred union. The disciples' astonished reaction and Jesus' acknowledgment that not everyone can accept this teaching reveal how radical his standard is.
1 Once Jesus finished this teaching, he left Galilee. He headed to the part of Judaea on the other side of the Jordan River. 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;
2 Huge crowds followed him there, and he healed people everywhere he went. And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Is a man allowed by the law to divorce his wife for just any reason at all?" 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?
4 Jesus answered, "Have you never read the scriptures? Right from the start, the Creator made people male and female." And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 "And God said, 'Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife. The two of them become like one person.'" 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?
6 "So they are not two separate people anymore — they are one. What God has brought together, no human being should rip apart." Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 The Pharisees pushed back: "Then why did Moses say a man could write up divorce papers and end the marriage?" They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 Jesus told them, "Moses only allowed divorce because your hearts are so stubborn and hard. That was never God's original design." 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.
9 "So I say to you: Any man who divorces his wife -- unless she has been unfaithful -- and marries someone else is cheating on her. And any man who marries a divorced woman is also cheating." 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 followers said, "If marriage works like that, it might be better not to get married at all." His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 Jesus said, "Not everyone can accept that idea. Only the people God has prepared for it can." But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 "Some people are born in a way that means they will never marry. Others are forced into that situation by what people did to them. And some choose to stay single so they can focus completely on serving God's kingdom. If you can accept this path, then accept it." 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.
Jesus Blesses the Children
Study note
When parents bring their children to Jesus for a blessing and the disciples try to turn them away, Jesus rebukes the disciples and welcomes the children warmly. His declaration that the kingdom of heaven belongs to 'such as these' reinforces the lesson of chapter 18: the humble, trusting, dependent posture of a child is exactly what kingdom citizenship requires.
13 People began bringing their small children to Jesus so he could place his hands on them and pray for them. The followers tried to stop them. 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, "Step aside and let the little children come to me. Don't block their way. People with hearts like theirs are the ones God's kingdom belongs to." But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 He placed his hands on the children and blessed them. Then he continued on his journey. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
The Rich Young Man
Study note
A wealthy young man asks what he must do to have eternal life, and Jesus tests him by instructing him to sell everything and follow him. The young man goes away sorrowful, unable to part with his possessions. Jesus' statement that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom shocks the disciples. Yet Jesus assures them that what is impossible with men is possible with God, and that those who sacrifice for his sake will receive a hundredfold reward and eternal life.
16 A man came up to Jesus and asked, "Good Teacher, what kind of good thing do I need to do to get eternal life?" And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 Jesus answered, "Why are you calling me good? Only God is truly good. But if you want to enter into life, follow the commandments." 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 "Which commandments?" the man asked. Jesus listed them: "Don't murder. Don't commit adultery. Don't steal. Don't lie about other people." 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 "Treat your father and mother with honor. And love the people around you the same way you love yourself." Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man said, "I have kept every one of those since I was a kid. What am I still missing?" The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to go all the way, go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure stored up in heaven. Then come back and follow me." 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 When the young man heard this, he walked away with a heavy heart because he owned many expensive things. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Jesus turned to his followers. He said, "I tell you the honest truth. It is very hard for a rich person to enter heaven." Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 "In fact, a camel can pass through a needle's eye more easily. It is that hard for a rich person to enter God's kingdom." 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 His followers were stunned when they heard this. They asked, "If that is true, who could possibly be saved?" When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, 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." But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Peter jumped in: "We left everything behind to follow you! So what is in it for us?" Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 Jesus said, "I am being straight with you. When the world is made new and the Son of man takes his seat on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones. You will lead the twelve tribes of Israel." 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 person who has left their home, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or land because of me will get back a hundred times more. They will also receive eternal life." 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 watch out — many people who are first right now will end up last. And many who are last right now will end up first." But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.