MATTHEW 19

In today’s study we have three titles, verses 1-12 Jesus on divorce. Verses 13-15 Jesus and children. Verses 16-30 The rich young ruler. A great study for today, so let’s get started, Matthew 19 and verse 1 reads.

Mat.19:1] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

To the outskirts of Judaea, by the Jordan. Let’s go to John 10 and verse 40 reads.

John 10:40] And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
[41] And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
[42] And many believed on him there.

I went there for us to understand why Jesus was comfortable there and why he would continue to go back. Back to Matthew 19 and verse 2 reads.

Mat.19:2] And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

So many they could not be numbered followed him and were healed. This will upset the Pharisees, the fact their synagogues were being emptied.

Mat.19:3] 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?

Don’t overlook they were tempting Jesus, but this question about divorce for any cause, any reason, is absurd. A Pharisee should know and help any married couple with problems. He should be the first to protect marriage.

Mat.19:4] 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 said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Jesus asked if they had read God’s Word. This is in Genesis chapter 1, the sixth day creation. Let’s go to Genesis 1 and verse 26 reads.

Gen.1:26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

God is speaking with us, he says let us make man in OUR image, all his children which are in spirit with him at this time. He includes himself with OUR because he himself would also come in the flesh. Isa.7:14, Mat.1:23, Emmanuel; God with us.

Gen.1:27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

When it says God created man in his own image, he is speaking first of the spirit, then in the flesh. This is the beginning of man and woman in the flesh. That they would be one flesh simply means they would have children. Back to Matthew 19 and verse 6 reads.

Mat.19:6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

For those who are married, never let anyone come between you and your spouse. This is a holy communion.

Mat.19:7] They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

This would be in Deuteronomy 24:1-5.

Mat.19:8] 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] 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.

Let’s look at this carefully. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin, meaning it is pardonable. Through repentance all sin is forgivable. I would like to remind you of Jeremiah 3 and verse 8 reads.

Jer.3:8] And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

God is a divorcee also, not through fornication as is given for man, but for idolatry. Be careful how you judge others. It is better to divorce one another, than to live with hate. Back to Matthew 19 and verse 10 reads.

Mat.19:10] His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

We know Peter was married, as for the rest I don’t know.

Mat.19:11] But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

Meaning this is not for all to understand, except for those with eyes to see. Now we know this is meant to be received spiritually.

Mat.19:12] 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.

Eyes to see and ears to hear, let’s think spiritually. Some were born with a disability, and some were made slaves and put in charge of the bed chambers. But some are given to the LORD such as Samuel, Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azeriah (Abed-nego). We too can give ourselves to the LORD. The main thing we can take away from these first twelve verses is, do not judge others lest you be judged. I hope you will take time to study with me in Daily Scriptures 1Corinthians 7. An awesome study for those who are married and for those about to be married.

Mat.19:13] 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.

We had just studied this in the last chapter about these little children, and how Jesus likens them to the kingdom of heaven. Mat.18:3. Think of these little ones as the next disciples of Christ, teach them the truth and they will never leave the LORD. For God is our Father, and all are his children.

Mat.19:16] 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.

Promised to us by God in Leviticus 18 and verse 5 reads.

Lev.18:5] Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

Back to Matthew 19 and verse 18 reads.

Mat.19:18] 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,

First note Jesus says Do no murder, G5406 phoneus, from G5407 phoneuō and both mean; to be a murderer. 1. to kill, slay, murder. 2. to commit murder. The word Kill is G5407 from G5406 in other gospels. Now, Jesus is giving him some of the Ten Commandments, from the fifth to the ninth, but he leaves off the tenth.

Mat.19:19] 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.

The man had filthy lucre, ill gotten gains. He had broken the tenth commandment, thou shalt not covet. Deu.5:21. Do not overlook Jesus also said in verse 21 he would be forgiven if he were to sell all that he had and give it to the poor and come and follow me. To follow Jesus requires no money, for the LORD will provide. We have here the golden rule, let’s go to James 2 and verse 8 reads.

James 2:8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

And in Galatians 5 and verse 14 reads.

Gal.5:14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

And Romans 13 and verse 9 reads.

Rom.13:9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Now we come to Jesus speaking to his disciples in Matthew 19 and verse 23 reads.

Mat.19:23] 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.

God blesses his children that follow his word. This “rich man” are those that cheat or steal from his neighbors. Just because you see a rich man doesn’t mean he is bad, he could be blessed. This eye of the needle is a fun learning experience. The cities that were walled in those days had a large gate for merchants and people to come through in the daytime, but took a large group of soldiers to guard. But at night, they would close the big gate and they would have a small gate that two soldiers could guard. This is the needle gate. If a man traveling came to the city he would have to unload the camel first, then the camel would crawl on its knees thru and afterwards they would have to load the camel again to continue on. This is simply saying to get to heaven we have to unload our sins, our ill-gotten gains, through forgiveness to enter.

Mat.19:25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Let’s go to Romans 1 and verse 16 reads.

Rom.1:16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The reason Jesus (Emmanuel) came in the flesh was for Salvation. Back to Matthew 19 and verse 26 reads.

Mat.19:26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Never forget that verse.

Mat.19:27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Peter is asking what is our reward for following you, we will see it is a great reward.

Mat.19:28] 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.

We find this written in Revelation 4 and verse 4 reads.

Rev.4:4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

These are the twelve apostles and the twelve patriarchs of Israel, the sons of Jacob. Let’s first go to Psalms 122 and verse 5 reads.

Psa.122:5] For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

We see this has been the plan of God from long ago, but not only for those twenty-four, but also for his Elect. Let’s go to Revelation 20 and verse 4 reads.

Rev.20:4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Shall be priest, teachers in the millennium. These are the rewards for God’s Elect during the millennium. Back to Matthew 19 and verse 29 reads.

Mat.19:29] 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.

Those who chose to follow Jesus will be rewarded. Don’t think you must forsake your family, this is not saying that, it simply implies for his name’s sake, for being called Christian.

Mat.19:30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

From the first earth age to this earth age. Those that fought against Satan in the first earth age will be God’s Elect in this earth age. Those that fought against God in the first earth age, will be judged first. This is why it is so important to understand that we have three earth ages. If you haven’t yet, study the first six chapters in Genesis with me. There is no way you can understand the end if you don’t understand the beginning. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible