New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 19

The Cost of Following

A rich young man walks away sad, children are welcomed, and the disciples wonder who can possibly be saved. Jesus redefines what it costs to follow him.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

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1When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

2Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

3Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.

9Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.

12For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

13Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

15And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

16Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”

17“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18“Which ones?” the man asked.

19honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”

21Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

22When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

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

27“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Understand This

Matthew 19, explained

What Matthew 19 is saying

Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce, appealing to Genesis creation theology over Mosaic concession. He blesses children brought to Him. A rich young ruler asks about eternal life; Jesus's command to sell everything and follow Him exposes the man's idolatry. Jesus declares it easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter the kingdom, stunning His disciples.

The background behind it

The divorce discussion engages the Hillel-Shammai debate within Pharisaic Judaism. Jesus's appeal to Genesis 1–2 over Deuteronomy 24 asserts creation order as normative. The 'needle's eye' is almost certainly hyperbolic—not a reference to a gate, as later tradition claimed—and would have scandalized a culture that associated wealth with divine blessing.

Themes running underneath

Jesus consistently returns to creation purposes over cultural accommodations. The rich young man illustrates how moral achievement can coexist with ultimate idolatry—he has kept every commandment except the first. The disciples' shock reveals how deeply the prosperity-equals-blessing equation had penetrated Jewish thought.

Why it still matters

The rich young ruler's story challenges the assumption that goodness and generosity are sufficient. Jesus demands not just adherence to rules but surrender of whatever has ultimate hold on the heart.

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Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.