Matthew 19:1

CHAPTER XIX.

Jesus leaves Galilee, and comes into the coasts of Judea, and

is followed by great multitudes, whom he heals, 1, 2.

The question of the Pharisees concerning divorce answered, and

the doctrine of marriage explained, 3-9.

The inquiry of the disciples on this subject, 10.

Our Lord's answer, explaining the case of eunuchs, 11, 12.

Little children brought to Christ for his blessing, 13-15.

The case of the young man who wished to obtain eternal life,

16-22.

Our Lords reflections on this case, in which he shows the

difficulty of a rich man's salvation, 23-26.

What they shall possess who have left all for Christ's sake and

the Gospel. 27-29

How many of the first shall be last, and the last first, 30.

NOTES ON CHAP. XIX.

Verse Matthew 19:1. Beyond Jordan] Or, by the side of Jordan. Matthew begins here to give an account of Christ's journey (the only one he mentions) to Jerusalem, a little before the passover, at which he was crucified. See Mark 10:1; Luke 9:51.

Jesus came from Galilee (which lay to the north of Judea) into the coasts of Judea; and from thence, in his way to Jerusalem, he went through Jericho, (Matthew 20:17; Matthew 20:29,) which lay at the distance of sixty furlongs, or seven miles and a half from Jordan, to the western side of it. See Joseph. WAR, book iv. chap. 8. sect. 3. It seems, therefore, most probable, that the course of Christ's journey led him by the side of the river Jordan, not beyond it. That the Greek word περαν, especially with a genitive case as here, has sometimes this signification, see on John 6:22; see also Bp. Pearce.