Matthew 19: Eternal Rewards
Do you think Jesus healed all who were sick? Why?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:1–2 When Jesus had finished teaching these things, he left Galilee and went to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed him, and he healed their sick.
King James
Matthew 19:1–2 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; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
Why did the Pharisees want to trap Jesus? What answer did they expect would bring trouble for him?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:3–6 The Pharisees came to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against him, so they said, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason whatever?”
“Haven’t you read the scripture?” Jesus said. “From the beginning, God made them male and female. That is why a man leaves his father and mother, is united with his wife, and the two become one. Since they are no longer two but one, and God has joined them, no one should separate them.”
King James
Matthew 19:3–6 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? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 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? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Why did the Pharisees think they knew more than Jesus knew?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:7–8 “If that is true, why did Moses command a man to write his wife a bill of divorce and send her away from his house?”
“Because of your hard hearts, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but that was not God’s plan from the beginning.”
King James
Matthew 19:7–8 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 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.
How did Jesus’ advice on divorce differ from how the Pharisees understood the Law? Why did Jesus’ disciples view his advice as unreasonable?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:9–10 “I say, for any reason other than sexual unfaithfulness, any man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Jesus’ disciples said, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better to never marry.”
King James
Matthew 19:9–10 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. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Why might people struggle with being married or single?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:11–12 Jesus said, “Not everyone can accept what God intends for marriage and for being single. Some have never had a desire to marry, and others choose to remain single for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. You should only wear the marriage garment if it fits.”
King James
Matthew 19:11–12 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 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.
Why did the disciples think Jesus shouldn’t bless the children?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:13–15 Parents brought their children so Jesus could lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
“Don’t stop them,” he said. “Allow the little ones to come to me. Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” So he laid his hands on them and blessed them before he left.
King James
Matthew 19:13–15 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
How can “good deeds” be important to have eternal life?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:16–22 A man came to Jesus and said, “Most excellent Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
“Why do you call me most excellent?” Jesus said. “No one is most excellent except God. If you want to enter that life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?”
Jesus said, “Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or give false testimony. Honor your parents, and love your neighbor as much as yourself.”
“I’ve done all that since I was young. What else must I do?”
“If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you own, and give the money to the poor. You will have treasure in Heaven and can follow me.”
After hearing this, the young man walked away sad, because he was very wealthy.
King James
Matthew 19:16–22 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 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. 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, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 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. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
As the Son of God, why did Jesus question his being called “most excellent”?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:17 “Why do you call me most excellent?” Jesus said. “No one is most excellent except God. If you want to enter that life, keep the commandments.”
King James
Matthew 19:17 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.
Why did the man think he needed more than the rules of Law that he had kept for all his life?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:18–20 “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or give false testimony. Honor your parents, and love your neighbor as much as yourself.”
“I’ve done all that since I was young. What else must I do?”
King James
Matthew 19:18–20 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, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
What did Jesus say was needed for eternal life? Why didn’t the man want to accept that opportunity?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:21–22 “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you own, and give the money to the poor. You will have treasure in Heaven and can follow me.”
After hearing this, the young man walked away sad, because he was very wealthy.
King James
Matthew 19:21–22 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. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
After ruling out the rich, why did the disciples question whether anyone could be saved?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:23–25 Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is nearly impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is harder for a man of great wealth to enter the Kingdom than for a camel to get through a needle’s eye.”
The disciples could not believe what Jesus was saying. “If that is true, then who in the world can be saved?”
King James
Matthew 19:23–25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
How is it possible for a rich person to be saved?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:24–26 “It is harder for a man of great wealth to enter the Kingdom than for a camel to get through a needle’s eye.”
The disciples could not believe what Jesus was saying. “If that is true, then who in the world can be saved?”
Jesus looked intently at them. “With men, it is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”
King James
Matthew 19:24–26 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. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
In sacrificing homes, relatives, and possessions, how did the disciples receive 100 times more during their life on Earth? Was this true for Judas as well? Why
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:27–29 Simon Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you. What does that do for us?”
“There will be a time when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, and you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the tribes of Israel. Those who have sacrificed their homes, relatives, or possessions for my sake will receive a hundred times more and will have eternal life.”
King James
Matthew 19:27–29 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 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. 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.
Why might the seats of honor in Heaven be reversed from what is on Earth?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Matthew 19:30 “Many who have the seat of lowest honor here will have the highest there. And many who have the seat of highest honor here will have the lowest there.”
23:11–12 “Whoever is the greatest among you must be everyone’s servant. Those who try to make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
King James
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
23:11–12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.