Matthew 19 - Common English Bible (CEB)

Teaching about divorce

19 When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. 3 Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”

4 Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female?[a] 5 And God said, ‘Because of this a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’[b] 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”

7 The Pharisees said to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a divorce certificate and divorce her?[c]

8 Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. 9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 His disciples said to him, “If that’s the way things are between a man and his wife, then it’s better not to marry.”

11 He replied, “Not everybody can accept this teaching, but only those who have received the ability to accept it. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth. And there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept it should accept it.”

Jesus blesses children

13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there.

A rich man’s question

16 A man approached him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”

17 Jesus said, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There’s only one who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”

18 The man said, “Which ones?”

Then Jesus said, “Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. 19 Honor your father and mother,[d] and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”[e]

20 The young man replied, “I’ve kept all these. What am I still missing?”

21 Jesus said, “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.

Teaching about giving up things

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

25 When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.

26 Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.”

27 Then Peter replied, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. What will we have?”

28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you who have followed me that, when everything is made new, when the Human One[f] sits on his magnificent throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:4 Gen 1:27; 5:2
  2. Matthew 19:5 Gen 2:24
  3. Matthew 19:7 Deut 24:1
  4. Matthew 19:19 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20
  5. Matthew 19:19 Lev 19:18
  6. Matthew 19:28 Or Son of Man

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