Matthew 19:1-30 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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The Pharisees approached Him with a question concerning divorce. The force of His reply is in the words "from the beginning." He had no opinions apart from the will and intention of God. As God willed, so let it be! "Why did Moses then command?" His answer is a contradiction of their main position. "Moses... suffered." He did not command, but because of the people's hardness of heart he suffered. Marriage, not celibacy, is the law of life, yet the Master recognizes that celibacy will be the condition of some, and does not condemn it when it arises from one of three causes, the necessity of birth, the action of men, the voluntary act for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a dark saying not intended for all, as the words of Jesus indicate.

It is beautifully fitting that having reiterated the irrevocable divine law relating to marriage, thus emphasizing the value of family life, He should now show His direct and wonderful interest in and tenderness toward children. In this place the word "such" does not primarily refer to the child character, but to children; and so the Master that day claimed all child life as belonging to His Kingdom.

The picture of this young man would be perfect to any but the dear vision of Christ. Yet the words of the Master prove that He saw the imperfections, and, moreover, they suggest that the young man was also conscious of them, "If thou wouldst be perfect." "Follow Me" is the Master's supreme word to him. Submit, obey, follow! And then with rare skill the Lord sets His mark on the supremest thing hitherto in the young man's life, and that which is his greatest hindrance- his wealth. "He went away sorrowful." Yet "Jesus... loved him."

Related Commentaries of Matthew 19:1

Matthew 19:1-30

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;

2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

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?

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?

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

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

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

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.

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.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.