Study Desk

He^(a) set out from there and went to the region of Judea^(b) and across the Jordan.^(c) Then crowds converged on Him again and, as He usually did, He began teaching^(d) them once more.

Some Pharisees^(e) approached Him to test^(f) Him. They asked, "Is it lawful^(g) for a man to divorce^(h) his wife?"⁽ⁱ⁾

He replied to them, "What did Moses^(j) command you?"

They said, "Moses permitted us to write divorce papers^(k) and send her away."^(l)

But Jesus told them, "He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.^(m)

But from the beginning⁽ⁿ⁾ of creation^(o) God ^[a] made them male and female. ^(p)[b]

For this reason a man will leave ^(q) his father and mother [ and be joined to his wife ] , ^[c]

and the two will become one flesh. ^(r)[d] So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate." ^(s)

Now in the house the disciples questioned Him again about this matter.

And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife^(t) and marries^(u) another commits adultery^(v) against her.

Also, if she divorces her husband^(w) and marries another, she commits adultery."

Some^(x) people were bringing little children^(y) to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked^(z) them.

When Jesus saw it, He was indignant^(aa) and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me.^(ab) Don't stop^(ac) them, for the kingdom of God^(ad) belongs to such as these.

I assure you:^(ae) Whoever does not welcome ^[e](af) the kingdom of God like a little child^(ag) will never enter it."

After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on^(ah) them and blessed^(ai) them.

As^(aj) He was setting out on a journey,^(ak) a man ran up, knelt down^(al) before Him, and asked Him, "Good^(am) Teacher,^(an) what must I do to inherit^(ao) eternal life?"^(ap)

"Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but One—God.^(aq)

You know the commandments: Do not murder; ^(ar) do not commit adultery; ^(as) do not steal; ^(at) do not bear false witness; ^(au) do not defraud; ^(av) honor ^(aw) your father and mother. " ^(ax)[f]

He said to Him, "Teacher,^(ay) I have kept all these from my youth."

Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him^(az) and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor,^(ba) and you will have treasure^(bb) in heaven.^(bc) Then come,^[g] follow Me." ^(bd)

But he was stunned^[h] at this demand, and he went away grieving,^(be) because he had many possessions.^(bf)

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth^(bg) to enter the kingdom of God!" ^(bh)

But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, "Children,^(bi) how hard it is^[i] to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich^(bj) person to enter the kingdom of God."

So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, "Then who can be saved?"^(bk)

Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible,^(bl) but not with God, because all things are possible with God."

Peter^(bm) began to tell Him, "Look, we have left everything and followed You."

"I assure you," ^(bn) Jesus said, "there is no one who has left house, brothers or sisters, mother or father,^[j] children, or fields because of Me and the gospel,^(bo)

who will not receive 100 times^(bp) more, now at this time^(bq)—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions^(br)—and eternal life^(bs) in the age to come.^(bt)

But many who are first will be last, and the last first." ^(bu)