Chapter 19

1When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River.

2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3Some Pharisees, members of a strict Jewish religious movement, came to test Jesus. They asked, “Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that from the beginning the Creator made human beings male and female?”

5Jesus continued, “The Creator said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’

6They are no longer two, but one flesh—one united whole. Therefore, no one must separate what God has joined together.”

7The Pharisees asked, “Then why did Moses, who gave Israel its Law, command a man to give his wife a divorce certificate and send her away?”

8Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you were stubborn, but this was not God’s intention from the beginning.

9I tell you that any man who divorces his wife for a reason other than sexual immorality and marries another woman commits adultery. A man who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”

10The disciples said to Jesus, “If that is how things stand between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept a life without marriage. Only those who have been given the ability can accept it.

12Some men live without marriage because they were born unable to have sex. Others live that way because people castrated them, making them eunuchs. Still others choose to live like eunuchs—without marriage—because of God’s heavenly kingdom. Anyone who can accept this life should accept it.”

13Then people brought little children to Jesus so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the people bringing them.

14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them, because God’s heavenly kingdom belongs to people like them.”

15Jesus placed his hands on the children and then left that place.

16A man approached Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”

17Jesus replied, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one—God—is good. If you want to enter eternal life, obey the commandments.”

18The man asked, “Which ones?” Jesus answered, “Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not accuse anyone falsely.

19Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

20The young man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments. What do I still lack?”

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

22When the young man heard this, he went away grieving because he owned a great deal of property.

23Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you, it will be difficult for a rich person to enter God’s heavenly kingdom.

24I tell you again: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

25When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished. They asked, “Then who can possibly enter God’s kingdom?”

26Jesus looked directly at them and said, “This is impossible for human beings, but everything is possible for God.”

27Peter responded, “We have left everything and followed you. What, then, will we receive?”

28Jesus told them, “I assure you: when everything is made new and I, the Son of Man, sit on my glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

29Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or fields because of loyalty to me will receive a hundred times as much and will receive eternal life as an inheritance.

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