Matthew 19 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Question of Divorce

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things,(A) he departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan.(B) 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.(C) 3 Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?” (D)

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created[a] them in the beginning made them male and female,[b](E) 5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?[c](F) 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers(G) and to send her away?”

8 He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. 9 I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”[d](H)

10 His disciples(I) said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry.”

11 He responded, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given.(J) 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept it should accept it.”

Blessing the Children

13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.(K) 14 Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”[e](L) 15 After placing his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich Young Ruler

16 Just then someone came up and asked him,(M) “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (N)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?”[f] he said to him. “There is only one who is good.[g] If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”(O)

18 “Which ones?” he asked him.

Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;(P) 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.[h](Q)

20 “I have kept all these,”[i] the young man told him. “What do I still lack?”

21 “If you want to be perfect,”[j] Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor,(R) and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Possessions and the Kingdom

23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.(S) 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”(T)

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(U)

27 Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things,(V) when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(W) you who have followed me will also 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[k] or children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.(X) 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. 19:4 Other mss read made
  2. 19:4 Gn 1:27; 5:2
  3. 19:5 Gn 2:24
  4. 19:9 Other mss add Also whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; Mt 5:32
  5. 19:14 Lit heaven is of such ones
  6. 19:17 Other mss read “Why do you call me good?”
  7. 19:17 Other mss read “No one is good but one—God
  8. 19:18–19 Ex 20:12–16; Lv 19:18; Dt 5:16–20
  9. 19:20 Other mss add from my youth
  10. 19:21 Or complete
  11. 19:29 Other mss add or wife

Cross references

  1. 19:1–9 : Mk 10:1–12
  2. 19:1 : Mt 7:28; Lk 9:51; Jn 10:40
  3. 19:2 : Mt 4:23; 12:15
  4. 19:3 : Mt 5:31; Jn 8:6
  5. 19:4 : Gn 2:18; Mt 21:16
  6. 19:5 : Gn 2:24; Mal 2:15; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31
  7. 19:7 : Dt 24:1–4; Mt 5:31
  8. 19:9 : Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18
  9. 19:10 : Mt 10:1; 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16
  10. 19:11 : Mt 13:11; 1Co 7:7
  11. 19:13–15 : Mk 10:13–16; Lk 18:15–17
  12. 19:14 : Mt 18:3; 1Pt 2:2
  13. 19:16–29 : Mk 10:17–30; Lk 10:25–28; 18:18–30
  14. 19:16 : Mk 10:17; Jn 12:25; Ac 13:48
  15. 19:17 : Lv 18:5; Neh 9:29; Ezk 20:21
  16. 19:18 : Ex 20:13–16; Dt 5:17–20
  17. 19:19 : Ex 20:12; Lv 19:18; Dt 5:16; Mt 5:43; 22:39; Gl 5:14; Jms 2:8
  18. 19:21 : Lk 12:33; 16:9; Ac 2:45; 4:35; 1Tm 6:18
  19. 19:23 : Mt 13:22; Mk 10:23; 1Co 1:26; 1Tm 6:9
  20. 19:24 : Mt 12:28; Mk 10:25; Lk 18:25
  21. 19:26 : Gn 18:14; Jb 42:2; Jr 32:17; Zch 8:6; Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27
  22. 19:28 : Is 65:17; 66:22; 2Pt 3:13; Rv 21:1
  23. 19:28 : Ps 45:6; Mt 25:31; Heb 1:8; Rv 3:21; 22:1,3
  24. 19:29 : Mt 6:33; Mk 10:29; Lk 18:29
  25. 19:30 : Mt 20:16; 21:31; Mk 10:31; Lk 13:30

You Might Also Like:

Matthew 19 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

19 And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these words, he removed from Galilee, and did come to the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan, 2 and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, `Is it lawful for a man to ...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

19 And it was done, when Jesus had ended these words, he passed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea over Jordan. 2 And much people followed him [And many companies followed him], and he healed them there. 3 And the Pharisees came to him, tempting him, and said, Whether it be leaveful ...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

19 When Jesus had finished this talk, he left Galilee. He went away to the part of Judea that is on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Many people followed him. He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees came to Jesus to test him. They asked, `Is it right for a man to send his wife away from him for a...
Read More

Matthew 19 - World English Bible (WEB)

19 When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4 He answer...
Read More

Matthew 19 - The Voice (VOICE)

19 After Jesus had finished His teaching about forgiveness, He left Galilee and He went to the section of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed Him, and when He got to Judea, He set about healing them. The religious leaders who are eyeing the crowds and watching the h...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Marriage and Covenant Faithfulness19 Now when Yeshua had finished these words, He moved on from the Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 Pharisees came up to Yeshua, testing Him and saying, “Is it permitted for a man to...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Teaching about Divorce19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife fo...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Teaching about Divorce19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife fo...
Read More

Matthew 19 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

19 And it happened that when Jesus had finished these sayings, He departed from Galilee, and came into the region of Judea beyond Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him. And He healed them there. 3 Then the Pharisees came to Him, tempting Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divor...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Question about Divorce19 So this is what happened next. When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went away from Galilee and came to the region of Judaea across the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees approached him with a trick question.‘Is it lawf...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Teaching about Divorce19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for an...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Teaching about Divorce19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.(A)2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.(B)3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Christ gives answer concerning marriage, accepts the young children, and teaches not to be full of cares, nor to love worldly riches. 19 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished those sayings, he left Galilee, and went into the region of Judea, beyond the Jordan. 2 And crowds of people followed...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Discussion about Divorce and Marriage19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. 3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a m...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New Life Version (NLV)

What Jesus Taught about Marriage and Divorce (A)19 When Jesus had finished talking, He went from the country of Galilee. He came to the part of the country of Judea which is on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Many people followed Him and He healed them there. 3 The proud religious law-keepers...
Read More

Matthew 19 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Marriage and Divorce(A)19 Now it came to pass, (B)when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 (C)And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Hi...
Read More