Matthew 19 – Marriage, Wealth, and the Cost of Discipleship

Overview: The Cost and Reward of Following Christ

🔹 Timeframe: Jesus’ teachings on discipleship before heading toward Jerusalem.

🔹 Setting: Conversations with the Pharisees, disciples, and a wealthy seeker.

🔹 Theme: Marriage, humility, and the necessity of complete devotion to Christ.

Key Takeaways

🔑 Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God.

🔑 Childlike faith is essential for entering the Kingdom.

🔑 Wealth can be a hindrance to full devotion to Christ.

🔑 God rewards those who sacrifice for His Kingdom.

Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment

🔮 Marriage as a Picture of Christ & the Church – Foreshadowed in Ephesians 5:25-32.

🔮 The Rich Young Ruler & Israel’s Struggle – Israel clung to the Law and wealth but struggled to embrace Christ.

🔮 Kingdom Rewards & Messianic Reign – Points to the future reign of Christ and the apostles’ roles (Revelation 20:4).

Historical & Cultural Context

📜 Jewish Views on Marriage & Divorce – Divorce was permitted under Deuteronomy 24:1-4, but Jesus clarifies God’s original intent.

📜 Children & Status in Jewish Society – Children were considered insignificant, yet Jesus elevates them as examples of Kingdom faith.

📜 Wealth & Religious Thought – Many Jews believed wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, making Jesus’ teaching radical.

💡 Final Reflection: Are We Willing to Follow Christ Completely?

Matthew 19 challenges us to examine our hearts. Are we willing to let go of anything that hinders our devotion to Christ?

📌 Do we honor God’s design for marriage, or follow the world’s standards?
📌 Are we trusting in our resources, or fully depending on God?
📌 Are we willing to sacrifice everything for eternal rewards?

🚀 True discipleship is costly—but the reward is eternal! Will we choose Christ above all?

Teaching About Divorce
Mat 19:1  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; 
Mat 19:2  And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 
Mat 19:3  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? 
Mat 19:4  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 
Mat 19:5  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? 
Mat 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 
Mat 19:7  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 
Mat 19:8  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. 
Mat 19:9  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. 
Mat 19:10  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 
Mat 19:11  But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 
Mat 19:12  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. 

Let the Children Come to Me
Mat 19:13  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 
Mat 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 
Mat 19:15  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 

The Rich Young Man
Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 
Mat 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. 
Mat 19:18  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, 
Mat 19:19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
Mat 19:21  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. 
Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 
Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
Mat 19:24  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. 
Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 
Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 
Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 
Mat 19:28  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. 
Mat 19:29  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. 
Mat 19:30  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.