Matthew 19 And so when Jesus had finished speaking He left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ And so when Jesus had finished speaking He left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River. ² Large crowds followed Him there and were healed by Him. ³ Some Pharisees came to Him, [attempting] to put Him to a test. They said, “Is it permissible by the law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife for any reason [he chooses]?” ⁴ And He answered them, “Have you not read [Gen. 1:27; 5:2] that when God created [mankind as] male and female, ⁵ He said [Gen. 2:24], ‘For this reason [i.e., since He made one woman for one man], a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother and will cling to his wife, [so that] the two of them will [then] become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship as to constitute one body]?’ ⁶ So, [upon becoming husband and wife] they no longer function [entirely] as two persons, but [as] one body. Therefore, those whom God [so] joins together [in the marriage bond], no person must [ever] separate.” ⁷ They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?” ⁸ Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives [only] because of the rebellious spirits you [Jews] had. But this was not how it was [intended to be] from the beginning [i.e., when God created one woman for one man]. ⁹ And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward her], unless the reason for the divorce was sexual unfaithfulness [on his wife’s part]. And the person who marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].” ¹⁰ His disciples [then] said to Jesus, “If this is the way it has to be between a man and his wife, it is not worth getting married.” ¹¹ But He replied, “Not all men can accept such an arrangement [i.e., not marrying], but it is [only] for those who have the capacity for accepting it. ¹² For there are eunuchs [i.e., men who do not have normal sexual activity] who are born that way; then there are eunuchs who were made that way by undergoing a surgical operation; then there are [also] eunuchs who purposely chose to avoid normal sexual activity for the sake of [ministering in] the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept such an arrangement [i.e., of not marrying], should do so.” ¹³ Then some little children were brought to Jesus so he could pray and place His hands on them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them]. But His disciples spoke harshly to the people [for doing this]. ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such [humble ones] as these.” [See 18:4]. ¹⁵ So, He placed His hands on them [i.e., to bestow a blessing] and [then] left that place. ¹⁶ Then a rich, young man [See verse 22] came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do in order to have never ending life?” ¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments.” ¹⁸ The young man asked Him, “Which [ones]?” Jesus answered, “You must not murder. You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. You must not steal. You must not give false testimony. ¹⁹ Show honor to your father and mother. And you must love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” ²⁰ The young man said to Him, “I have [already] been observing all of these commandments. What do I [still] lack?” ²¹ Jesus replied, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; then become my follower and you will have treasure in heaven.” ²² But when the young man heard these words, he went away saddened, for he had many possessions. ²³ Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, “Who then can [possibly] be saved?” ²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God.” ²⁷ Peter then answered Him, “Look, we have left everything [i.e., homes, jobs, family, etc.], to follow you. What will we get for it?” ²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God’s people]. ²⁹ And every person who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children or property, for my name’s sake [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord], will receive [back] a hundred times as much [in this life] and will [also] inherit never ending life. ³⁰ But many will be last [i.e., in importance and blessings] who [seem to] be first, and those [who seem to be] first will [end up] being last.”