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Concerning Divorce

¹ Now ^(C1)when Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and ^(C2)went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan;² and large crowds followed Him, and ^(C1)He healed them there.

³ And Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "^(C1)Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"⁴ He replied, "Have you never read ^(C1)that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,⁵ and said, '^(C1)FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED INSEPARABLY TO HIS WIFE, AND ^(C2)THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? ^(VR1)6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate."⁷ The Pharisees said to Him, "^(C1)Why then did Moses command us to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?" ^(VR1)8 He said to them, "Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.⁹ "I say to you, ^(C1)whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery^(F1)."

¹⁰ The disciples said to Jesus, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry."¹¹ But He said to them, "^(C1)Not all men can accept this statement, but only ^(C2)those to whom the capacity to receive it has been given.¹² "For there are eunuchs who have been born that way from their mother's womb making them incapable of consummating a marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men for royal service; and there are eunuchs who have ^(F1)made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."

Jesus Blesses Little Children

^13 (C1)Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them for a blessing and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them.¹⁴ But He said, "^(C1)Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for ^(C2)the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."¹⁵ After placing His hands on them for a blessing, He went on from there.

The Rich Young Ruler

^16 (C1)And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what essentially good thing shall I do to obtain ^(C2)eternal life that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom?" ^(VR1)17 Jesus answered, "Why are you asking Me about what is essentially good? There is only One who is essentially good; ^(C1)but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments." ^(VR1)18 He said to Jesus, "Which commandments?" And Jesus answered, "^(C1)YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY; ^{(VR1)19 (C1)}HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and ^(C2)LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others. ^(VR1)20 The young man said to Him, "I have kept all these things from my youth; what do I still lack?" ^(VR1)21 Jesus answered him, "If you wish to be perfect that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies, go and ^(C1)sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have ^(C2)treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk."²² But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions which he treasured more than his relationship with God.

²³ Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, ^(C1)it is difficult for a rich man who clings to possessions and status as security to enter the kingdom of heaven.²⁴ "Again I tell you, ^(C1)it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man who places his faith in wealth and status to enter the kingdom of God."²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were completely ^(F1)astonished and bewildered, saying, "Then who can be saved from the wrath of God?"²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said, "^(C1)With people as far as it depends on them it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." ^(VR1)

The Disciples' Reward

²⁷ Then Peter answered Him, saying, "Look, we have given up everything and followed You becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord; what then will there be for us?"²⁸ Jesus said to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things when ^(C1)the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, ^(C2)you who have followed Me, becoming My disciples will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.²⁹ "And ^(C1)everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother ^(F1)or children or farms for My name's sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.³⁰ "^(C1)But many who are first in this world will be last in the world to come; and the last, first.