MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:1 The Galilean ministry has now ended.
Jesus and his disciples begin the journey to Jerusalem.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:3 PHARISEES... TESTED HIM. See note on
3:7. The religious leaders try to make Jesus look guilty by
misinterpreting the law. DIVORCE. There was a significant debate among
the Pharisees about the correct interpretation of Moses’ divorce
regulations (Deuteronomy 24:1).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:6 WHAT... GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER implies
that marriage is not merely a human agreement but a relationship
established by God. From the moment they are married, the husband and
wife are unified in a way that is different from all other human
relationships. Being “one flesh... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:8 BECAUSE OF YOUR HARDNESS OF HEART
means, “because there was rebellion against God among you, leading
to broken marriage covenants.” God therefore provided divorce for
dealing with such cases. FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO points to
God’s original intent that marriage... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:9 Every phrase in this verse is important
for understanding Jesus’ teaching on divorce. WHOEVER DIVORCES HIS
WIFE. The word translated here as “divorces” always refers to
divorce, not separation (see also v. Matthew 19:3). EXCEPT FOR SEXUAL
IMMORALITY. “Sexual immorality”... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:10 THIS SAYING is best understood as
referring to the statement IT IS BETTER NOT TO MARRY. THOSE TO WHOM IT
IS GIVEN.... EUNUCHS. This would include those without the physical
capacity for sexual relations and those who have chosen a life of
abstinence (see 1 Corinthians 7... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:13 LAY HIS HANDS ON THEM. A traditional
manner of blessing children in Israel (see Genesis 48:14).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:14 TO SUCH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
See notes on 18:2–4; 18:5–6.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:16 A MAN CAME UP TO HIM. Verses Matthew
19:16 have been called the story of the “rich young ruler” since
he is rich (v. Matthew 19:22), young (v. Matthew 19:20), and a ruler
(compare Luke 18:18). He may have been a religious lay leader, quite
possibly a Pharisee (because o... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:17 THERE IS ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD. Only in
understanding God as infinitely good can the young man discover that
good deeds cannot earn eternal life. KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. Jesus is
not teaching that good works can earn eternal life, for in vv. Matthew
19:21 he will show the... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:18 WHICH ONES? Jesus gives a
representative list of commandments (compare Exodus 20:1; Leviticus
19:18; Deuteronomy 5:7; Matthew 22:36).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:20 ALL THESE I HAVE KEPT. The man implies
he has kept not only these, but the entire law, which they represent.
Yet he still senses that something is lacking.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:21 IF YOU WOULD BE PERFECT. Jesus wants
to turn this man from focusing on external obedience to examining his
heart, revealing that his money is his ruling god. GIVE TO THE POOR.
The man had surely already given some money to the poor, for this was
considered a duty, espec... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:23 ONLY WITH DIFFICULTY WILL A RICH
PERSON ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Wealth fools a person into
thinking that he or she is self-sufficient apart from God. The general
attributes of the “rich” are the opposite of those of a
“child” (see Matthew 18:1; Matthew 19:13).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:24 CAMEL. The largest land animal in
Palestine. THE EYE OF A NEEDLE. The smallest opening. Jesus paints a
picture of something impossible in order to illustrate that even the
seemingly impossible is possible with God.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:25 ASTONISHED. Wealth was often seen as a
sign of God’s approval and blessing (see Deuteronomy 28:1).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:26 WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. This
is seen in the conversions of rich men like Joseph of Arimathea
(Matthew 27:57) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:28 THE NEW WORLD. This looks forward to
the future end-time renewal of the world (compare 2 Peter 3:10;
Revelation 21:1).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:29 RECEIVE A HUNDREDFOLD. See Mark 10:29
and note; Luke 18:30. WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. Eternal life is an
inherited gift, not an earned reward.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 19:30 BUT MANY WHO ARE FIRST WILL BE LAST,
AND THE LAST FIRST. See note on 20:16.
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