Matthew 19
1 After Jesus had said that, he [took us] and left Galilee [district] and went to the part of Judea [district that is located] on the [east] side of the Jordan [River].
And it came to pass when Jesus finished these sermons, He departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond the Jordan.
2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed [the sick among] them.
And many multitudes followed Him; and He healed them there.
3 [Some] Pharisees approached Jesus and said to him, “Does [our Jewish] law permit [a man] to divorce his wife for any reason whatever?” [They asked that] in order to be able to criticize Jesus, [whether he answered “Yes” or “No].”
And the Pharisees came to Him, tempting Him, and saying to Him; Is it lawful for a man to send away his wife for any cause?
4 Jesus said [to them], “[Because] you have read [RHQ] [the Scriptures], [you should know] that at the time [God first] created [people], ‘he made [one] man, and he made [one] woman [to be that man’s wife].’
And He responding said to them, Have you not read, that the one having made them from the beginning made them male and female?
5 That explains why [God said], ‘[When] a man [and woman marry], they should no longer live with their fathers and mothers. [Instead], the two of them shall live together, and they shall become [so closely united that they are like] one person [MET].’
And He said, On account of this a man shall leave father and mother, and cleave unto his wife; and they two shall be one flesh.
6 Consequently, [although they functioned as] two [separate people before], they now [become as if they were] one person [MET]. Since that is true, a man must not separate [from his wife] whom God has joined to him, [because it is God’s plan for them to remain together].”
So they are no longer two, but one flesh: therefore what God joined together, let no man separate.
7 The Pharisees then said to him, “If that is true, why did Moses command that [a man who wanted to divorce] his wife should give her a paper [stating his reason for] divorcing her, and then send her away?”
They say to Him, Then why did Moses command to give a book of divorcement, and to send her away?
8 He said to them, “It was because [your ancestors] stubbornly [wanted their own way] that Moses allowed them to divorce their wives, [and you are no different from them]. But when God first [MTY] created a man and a woman, [he did not intend for them to separate].
He says to them, Moses on account of the hardness of your heart permitted you to send away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 I am telling you emphatically that [because God considers that a marriage lasts until either the husband or the wife dies, he considers that] any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery, unless [his first wife] has committed adultery.”
But I say unto you, That whosoever may send away his wife, not for fornication, and may marry another, commits adultery.
10 We disciples said to him, “If that is true, it is better for men never to marry!”
His disciples say to Him, If the cause of a man with his wife is thus, it is better not to marry.
11 Then he said to us, “Not every man is able to accept this teaching. Only the men whom [God] enables [to accept it are able to do so].
And He said to them, All do not receive this word, but those to whom it has been given.
12 There are men who [do not marry because they are not able to have sexual relations because they] have been sexually defective ever since they were born. There are other men [who do not marry because they are unable to have sexual relations] because they have been castrated {other men have made them that way}. There are other [men who decide not to marry] [MET] in order that they can serve God better [and spend more time telling people about how] God [MTY/EUP] wants to rule people’s lives. You who are able to understand [what I have said about marriage] should accept it [and obey it].”
For there are eunuchs, who have been so born from the womb of their mother. And there are eunuchs, who have been eunuchized by men: and there are eunuchs, who eunuchized themselves for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.
13 Then [some] children were brought {[some people] brought their children} to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray [for them]. But we disciples scolded the people [for bringing their children to Jesus because we thought that Jesus did not want to take the time to be with children].
Then little children were brought to Him, that He might put His hands on them, and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.
14 But [when Jesus saw us scolding them], he said to us, “Let the children come to me! Do not stop them! It is people who are [humble and trusting] like they are, who can experience God’s rule [in their lives].”
But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of the heavens.
15 Jesus then laid his hands on the children [and asked God to bless them]. Then he left there.
And putting His hands on them, he departed thence.
16 [As Jesus was walking along, a young] man approached him and said [to him], “Teacher, what good [deeds] must I do in order to live [with God] eternally?” (aiōnios g166)
Behold, one coming to Him said, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, in order that I may have eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
17 Jesus said to him, “(Consider [what you are implying about who I am when] you ask me about what is good./Do you realize [what you are implying about who I am when] you ask me about that which is good?) [RHQ] Only one being is good and [really knows what is good. That being is God. But in order to answer your question] about [desiring to] live [with God eternally], I [will say to you], ‘Keep the commandments [that God gave Moses’].”
And He said to him, Why do you ask me concerning the good One? One is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 The man asked Jesus, “Which [commandments must I keep]?” Jesus answered [him], “Do not murder [anyone], do not commit adultery, do not steal things, do not testify falsely,
He says to Him, What? And Jesus said to him, Thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt hot steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 honor your father and your mother, and love people you come in contact with as [much as you love] yourself.”
honor the father and the mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
20 [Thinking that he might not be able to live with God eternally even though he had kept those commandments], the young man said to Jesus, “I have always obeyed all those commandments. What else must I do [in order to live with God eternally]?”
The young man says to Him, All these have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said to him, “If you desire to be all that God intends you to be, go [home], sell everything that you have and give [the money] to poor people. [The result will be that] you will have [spiritual] riches in heaven. Then come and be my disciple!”
Jesus said to him, If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
22 When the young man heard those words, he went away feeling sad, because he was very rich [and did not want to give away everything he owned].
And the young man hearing the word, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to [us] disciples, “Keep this in mind: It is very difficult for rich people [to decide] to let God [MTY/EUP] rule their [lives].
And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say unto you, that a rich man will hardly enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
24 Note this also: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is [almost] as difficult [HYP] for rich people [to decide] to let God rule their [lives].”
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 go into the kingdom of God.
25 When [we] disciples heard this, we were astounded. [We thought that rich people were the ones whom God blesses the most. So we said to him], “(If that is so, it does not seem likely that anyone will be saved!/Who then will God will save?)” [RHQ]
And the disciples hearing, were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then is able to be saved?
26 [When Jesus heard us say that], he looked intently at us, and [then] he said to us, “[Yes], it is impossible for people [to save themselves]. But [God can save them, because] God is able to do [anything]!”
And Jesus looking on them said; With men this is impossible; but all things are possible with God.
27 Then Peter said to him, “You know that we [(exc)] have left everything behind and we have become your disciples. So what benefit will we get [for doing that]?”
Then Peter responding said to Him, Behold, we have left all things, and followed Thee; what then shall be to us?
28 Jesus said to us, “Keep this in mind: [You will get many benefits]. When [God] makes [the] new [earth] and when [I], the one who came from heaven, sit on my magnificent throne, those of you who have accompanied me will each sit on a throne, and you will judge [the people of] the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say unto you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man may sit upon the throne of His glory, you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 [God will reward] those who, because of being my [disciples], have left [behind] a house or plot of ground, [their] brothers, [their] sisters, their father, their mother, their children, [or any other family] [MTY] [members]. [God] will give them 100 times [as many benefits as they have given up]. And they will live [with God] eternally. (aiōnios g166)
And every one who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, on account of my name, shall receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life. (aiōnios g166)
30 But many [people who consider themselves to] be important [now] will be unimportant [at that future time], and many [people who consider themselves to be] unimportant [now will be] important [at that future time].”
But many who are first shall be last, and the last first.
