Matthew 19

Returning marriage to its pristine state (vs. 1-12)—The Pharisees, “testing Him,” asked Jesus a question about divorce: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” (v. 3). In His answer, Jesus goes back farther than Moses, all the way to creation. God made male and female, a man leaves his father and mother, cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (v. 6). Then why did Moses allow it? the Pharisees asked Him. “Because of the hardness of your hearts,” (v. 8). A couple of things here. The Law of Moses was actually protecting the female here; lest she befall a worse fate by having to stay with an abusive husband, the marriage could be broken. But God, as we know, also tolerated polygamy before Christ; Abraham, Jacob, David—many Old Testament heroes had more than one wife, or several concubines. From the creation, man’s morality had simply deteriorated to where God’s original plan for marriage had been corrupted; He “overlooked” multiple wives (Acts 17:30), because He was slowly trying to bring mankind back to His perfect law—as revealed by Jesus. And of course, Abraham and Jacob, for example, lived over 400 years before one word of the Law was written. But now, with Christ, God’s revelation will be finalized; here is the last message. And so, Jesus brings us back to what God intended in the first place. Thus, “whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery" (v. 9). One man, one woman for life; the only exceptions are death (Rom. 7:1-4) and sexual immorality (fornication). If a man (or woman) gets a divorce for any other reason and remarries, that is an adulterous relationship. Why? Because that person is having physical relations with someone who is not their lawful mate. “What God has joined together, let not man separate,” and if man “separates” what “God has joined together,” He’s not going to recognize or accept it. We have no authority from God to break what He has put together. So it’s adultery, and it must cease. The apostles, in verse 10, respond, in effect, “that’s a tough teaching.” Yes, it is, Jesus responds, but we must make whatever sacrifices are necessary “for the kingdom of heaven’s sake” (v. 12). Hell isn’t worth an adulterous marriage. Yet, “what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

Jesus blesses little children (vs. 13-15)—This is very similar to what happened in the first part of chapter 18, but obviously is a point worth emphasizing, and perhaps even more so after what the Lord had just said about marriage. We must humbly accept God’s teachings. And it was obvious, from verse 13, that the disciples hadn’t gotten the message the first time.

The rich young ruler (vs. 16-30)—This story actually continues into chapter 20, as we shall see. A young man, rich, and a ruler (according to Luke, though he doesn’t say a “ruler” of what; probably a synagogue) asks Jesus what he had to do to have eternal life (v. 16). What a great question. More people ought to be asking it. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments of the law he was living under (Moses). The young man responded that he had done that; “What do I still lack?” (v. 20). Jesus, “beholding him, loved him,” (Mark 10:21), and then told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matt. 19:21). The young man went away sorrowfully because he had great wealth; he loved his money more than he loved his God. Jesus then said, “I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (v. 23) This astonished the disciples: “Who then can be saved?” (v. 25). They were operating under the Jewish assumption that the rich were the blessed of God; they must be the righteous because Jehovah had dealt so bountifully with them. It’s the poor who must be out of favor with God. So if the rich can’t be saved, who can? Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly; they’ll understand eventually. Peter then asks a rather self-serving question: “See, we have left all and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?” (v. 27). Jesus gives him two answers: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (v. 29). And the apostles actually will have a special place (v. 28). So, indeed, if we leave all and follow Jesus, we will be well taken care of by the Lord. But…”many who are first will be last, and the last first” (v. 30). Jesus’ second answer to Peter’s question is found in chapter 20, and we’ll look at it in that chapter summary.