Matthew
When Jesus had finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Large crowds followed him, and he
healed them there.
Some Pharisees came to put him to the test. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
Jesus replied, “Have you not read that He who created man at the beginning made them male and female?
God said, ‘This is the reason why a man will leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.’
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What God has joined together let no one separate.”
They asked, “Then why did Moses command to give her a written certificate of divorce and send her away?”
Jesus responded, “Because of your hard-hearted attitude Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, but it was not like that from the beginning.
I tell you, whoever divorces his wife,
except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”
His disciples said to him, “If that is the case in marital matters, it is better not to marry!”
Jesus said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement; only those it is given to.
Some are born as eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by people, and some choose to be eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever can accept this, let them accept it.”
Then people brought little children to him so that he could bless them
and pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people.
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those like them.”
He placed his hands on them to bless them, and
then he left.
A man came to Jesus and asked him, “Teacher, what good do I need to
do to get the Life of the Age to Come?”
Jesus replied, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one Person who is good. But if you want to enter that Life, then keep the commandments.”
The man asked, “Which ones?” Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie,
honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said, “I have kept all these commandments. What else do I need to do?”
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete,
then go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure stored up in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
When the young man heard Jesus’ answer he went away very sad, because he was very rich.
Jesus said to his disciples, “I am telling you the truth: it is hard for rich
people to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
I also tell you this: It is easier for a
camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the
Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were shocked and asked, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “Humanly speaking it is impossible, but all things are possible with God.”
Then Peter said to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What reward
will we get?”
Jesus replied, “I am telling you the truth: you who have followed me, when the world is reborn and the Son of Man will sit on his throne of glory, you too will sit on twelve thrones, governing the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left their homes, brothers,
sisters, father, mother, children, or properties, because of me, will receive
back a hundred times more, and will inherit the life of the age to come. But
many will be last who are now first, and first who are now last.”
Matthew