ScriptureDepth's study of Matthew 19
“But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
Matthew 19:14
Jesus says this to his disciples when they rebuke those bringing children, settling that only those like these children belong to the Kingdom of Heaven.
What Matthew 19 is about
Jesus leaves Galilee and travels to Judea, where he teaches about marriage and divorce (vv. 1-6). The Pharisees test him, asking if divorce is lawful for any reason. Jesus cites creation, stating that marriage is a divine union that should not be broken. They question why Moses allowed divorce, and Jesus explains that it was a concession due to hard hearts (vv. 7-12). Next, Jesus welcomes little children and emphasizes their importance in the Kingdom of Heaven (vv. 13-15). A young man approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life, and is instructed to sell his possessions and follow him, but he leaves sadly due to his wealth (vv. 16-22). Jesus then speaks about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom, noting that with God, all things are possible (vv. 23-26). Peter remarks on their sacrifices, and Jesus promises rewards for those who follow him (vv. 27-30).
Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 19 at a glance
- Matthew 19:1–6Teaching on Marriage and Divorce
- Matthew 19:7–12Moses' Provision for Divorce
- Matthew 19:13–15Jesus Blesses Little Children
- Matthew 19:16–22The Challenge of Wealth
- Matthew 19:23–30Rewards for Sacrifice
Key verse: Matthew 19:14
One thing to notice
A rich young man asks Jesus about eternal life. After the man departs, Jesus says, 'it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye' than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (v. 24), leading to astonishment among the disciples (v. 25).
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Matthew 19 (WEB)
Teaching on Marriage and Divorce Matthew 19:1–6
1Verse 1. When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2Verse 2. Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3Verse 3. Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4Verse 4. He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5Verse 5. and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ 6Verse 6. So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Moses' Provision for Divorce Matthew 19:7–12
7Verse 7. They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?” 8Verse 8. He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9Verse 9. I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” 10Verse 10. His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.” 11Verse 11. But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
12Verse 12. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children Matthew 19:13–15
13Verse 13. Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14Verse 14. But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” 15Verse 15. He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
The Challenge of Wealth Matthew 19:16–22
16Verse 16. Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”17Verse 17. He said to him,“Why do you call me good?No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”18Verse 18. He said to him, “Which ones?”Jesus said,“‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’19Verse 19. ‘Honor your father and your mother.’And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”20Verse 20. The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”21Verse 21. Jesus said to him,“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”22Verse 22. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
Rewards for Sacrifice Matthew 19:23–30
23Verse 23. Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24Verse 24. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 25Verse 25. When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26Verse 26. Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27Verse 27. Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” 28Verse 28. Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29Verse 29. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. 30Verse 30. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Matthew 19
Marriage and Divorce
In vv. 3-6, the Pharisees question Jesus about divorce, asking, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?' Jesus refers back to creation, stating that 'he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,' emphasizing the unity in marriage. He asserts that what God has joined together should not be separated, clarifying the original intent of marriage.
Childlike Faith
In vv. 13-15, people bring little children to Jesus for his blessing, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus responds, 'Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.' This statement prioritizes the humble and trusting nature of children regarding faith and access to the Kingdom.
Wealth and Discipleship
In vv. 16-22, a young man asks Jesus how to attain eternal life, claiming to have kept the commandments. Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and follow him, which leads to the young man's sadness over his wealth. This interaction highlights the challenge wealth poses to discipleship as Jesus discusses its implications in vv. 23-24, comparing it to a camel passing through a needle's eye.
Sacrifice and Reward
In vv. 27-30, Peter points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus responds by promising them rewards, stating that those who have sacrificed for his sake will receive 'one hundred times' and inherit eternal life. He concludes with the saying that many who are first will be last, and the last will be first, emphasizing the reversal of expectations in the Kingdom.
Chapter outline
How Matthew 19 unfolds
Matthew 19:1–6 Teaching on Marriage and Divorce
Jesus leaves Galilee for Judea, where great multitudes follow him and he heals them. The Pharisees test him with a question about divorce, and Jesus responds by quoting Creation, stating, 'What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart' (vv. 1-6).
Matthew 19:7–12 Moses' Provision for Divorce
The Pharisees mention Moses' allowance for divorce, to which Jesus explains that such permission was due to the hardness of hearts, contrasting it with God's original intention (vv. 7-8).
Matthew 19:13–15 Jesus Blesses Little Children
People bring little children to Jesus for blessings, but the disciples try to stop them; Jesus insists that children are welcome, as they embody the qualities needed for the Kingdom (vv. 13-15).
Matthew 19:16–22 The Challenge of Wealth
A young man approaches Jesus seeking eternal life, and although he has kept commandments, Jesus challenges him to give up his wealth and follow him, leading to the man's sorrow (vv. 16-22).
Matthew 19:23–30 Rewards for Sacrifice
Jesus teaches his disciples about the difficulties the wealthy face in entering the Kingdom, assuring them that salvation is possible through God, while Peter inquires about the rewards for their sacrifices (vv. 23-30).
Key verses
Matthew 19:14Jesus says this to his disciples when they rebuke those bringing children, settling that only those like these children belong to the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Matthew 19
- observeIn v3, what question do the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce?
- observeWhat reason does Jesus give for Moses allowing divorce in v8?
- interpretIn v9, what does Jesus mean by stating that divorce except for sexual immorality commits adultery?
- interpretIn v24, why does Jesus use the metaphor of a camel going through the eye of a needle?
- applyWhen have you felt challenged to let go of something important, as Jesus asks in v21?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Matthew 19
- Mark 10Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27Both say: With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
- Luke 18Matthew 19:29 and Luke 18:29Both say: Everyone who has left house, for God’s Kingdom’s sake, will receive many times more.
- Jeremiah 32Matthew 19:26 and Jeremiah 32:27Both say: Looking at them, Jesus said, with men this is impossible.
- Luke 1Matthew 19:26 and Luke 1:37Both say: Looking at them, Jesus said, for nothing spoken by God is impossible.
- Matthew 6Matthew 19:29 and Matthew 6:33Both say: Everyone who has left houses, will receive and all these things will be given to you.
- Genesis 2Matthew 19:3 and Genesis 2:24Both say: For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and will join with his wife.
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