Tyndale Open Study NotesMatthew 19

Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem (Matthew 19:1; 20:29; 21:1). This was another chance to teach the disciples what it means to be his disciples.

There were two different opinions on when a man could divorce his wife:

1. One group of Pharisees, following Rabbi Shammai, believed divorce was only allowable for adultery or serious wrongdoing.

2. The other group, following Rabbi Hillel, thought a man could divorce his wife for any reason, even if she burned his dinner.

The Pharisees did not consider all of God's teachings. God intended marriage to be a permanent union (see Genesis 2:18–25; see also 1 Corinthians 7:10–16).

Since God created marriage as a union, people do not have the right to end it. Jesus confirmed that divorce should not happen.

Why … did Moses order: The Pharisees believed Jesus contradicted a command in the law (see Deuteronomy 24:1–4). But Moses allowed divorce only because of people's stubbornness. Jesus introduced the radical idea that what God permits is not always what he desires (see 1 Corinthians 6:12). Divorce is never what God desires (Malachi 2:14–16). It shows the brokenness of human sin.

• Jesus allows only one valid reason for a man to divorce: if his wife has been unfaithful (see Matthew 5:32). For those who thought divorce was easy, Jesus emphasizes God's created order. Marriage is meant to last forever (see Mark 10:11–12).

• commits adultery: This refers to a man who divorces his wife without a valid reason. If he remarries, it is the same as adultery. Jesus aims to reestablish that marriage is permanent.

This statement refers to what the disciples said in Matthew 19:10.

• Eunuchs are men who cannot physically have children, either because of a birth defect or because they were made unable through surgery (castration). Jesus also used the word in a figurative way for those who choose not to marry (see Luke 14:26; 18:29; 1 Corinthians 7:7–8).

• for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven: Jesus was not criticizing marriage. He meant that unmarried people often have more freedom for ministry (see 1 Corinthians 7:25–35).

• Jesus would place his hands on others to bless them (see Luke 4:40; 13:13; see also Genesis 48:14–15; Acts 19:6).

• The disciples tried to stop the parents from bringing children to Jesus. They wanted to protect him, but their action showed the wrong attitude toward children (see Matthew 18:5–6, 10).

• Why do you ask Me: as a Jew, the man should have known that God shows his standard of goodness in his commandments. The man's questions show he did not trust God's revealed will (also Matthew 19:20).

• there is only One who is good: The man might have thought he could be perfectly good on his own, but only God is the truly good. So, God is from where all goodness comes.

• keep the commandments: Jesus might be trying to show the man his own sinfulness by asking him to do the impossible. Or more probably, he is restating that good works are the clear measure of how true a person's faith is (see 7:13–27).

When Jesus told the man to go, sell … come, follow, Jesus revealed that the man had not truly followed the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3). His possessions (his wealth and security) had become his god (see Matthew 6:20, 24; 13:44–46).

• Jesus teaches a lesson about discipleship from the rich man's sad refusal. It is difficult for the rich to humble themselves, admit their needs, and trust in God (see Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:9–10).

• The kingdom of heaven here means eternal life (Matthew 19:16–17, 29) or salvation as a result of God's renewing work (19:25–26).

• Easier for a camel: This analogy emphasizes how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Some manuscripts use a Greek word meaning rope (kamilos) instead of camel (kamēlos), a difference of only one letter.

• to pass through the eye of a needle: This image suggests it is impossible for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God. But the situation is not completely hopeless (Matthew 19:26–27). See study note on Mark 10:25.

God's renewing grace is completely essential for the wealthy to be able to repent from making wealth an idol, give up their possessions if needed, and follow Jesus (Matthew 19:21).

• You … will also sit on twelve thrones: The disciples will share in judging. This is a reversal, where those who are rich and powerful now will be judged by those who are humble and poor (see Matthew 19:30).

• Judging can mean both ruling with authority and condemning for wrongdoing (see Revelation 20:4).