Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage - Matthew 19:3-12
The difficulties of marriage, divorce, and remarriage are universal. As an influential teacher in his day Jesus was asked about his views on these moral matters. His answer was very conservative, but focuses on the heart issues and God's design for human union rather than on all the details of when divorce is right or wrong. Jesus ended his teaching with a call to discipleship, to trusting in his wisdom, even if that means to remarrying after a wrongful divorce (becoming a "
eunuch for the
kingdom"). Jesus also included the same comments on divorce and remarriage in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:31-32).
Hardness of heart – Matthew 19:8
Hardness of
heart. Repeatedly, Jesus emphasized the importance of the inner person or heart, not just outward actions Matt. (5:8, 21-48; 6:21; 15:7-11; 22:37).
Eunuchs – Matthew 19:12
Eunuchs for the sake of the
kingdom. Jesus was not referring here to physical eunuchs, nor encouraging people to mutilate themselves. Rather, these people are those who choose not to remarry in obedience to Jesus if they have been involved in a wrongful divorce, because remarriage after a wrongful divorce is declared to be adultery (Matt. 5:31-32).
Such ones - Matthew 19:14
The
kingdom of
heaven belongs to
such ones. Jesus used children as a model for kingdom of heaven disciples because of their humility and trusting faith.
Perfect - Matthew 19:21
If you wish to be
perfect. The word translated "
perfect" should be understood in the sense of mature, complete, or whole. It is the same word used in the Sermon on the Mount to describe the heart of the true disciple, the ones who are like their heavenly Father (Matt. 5:48). The man who came to Jesus in this story was genuinely righteous in his behavior but he lacked the greater righteousness required to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20) — right behavior that comes from a heart/inner person that loves God and others (Matt. 22:37-40). This man loved his possessions more than God and so lacked the whole or complete righteousness he required.
A rich man – Matthew 19:23
It is
Hard for a rich
man to
enter the
kingdom of
heaven. Jesus was not here condemning wealth in and of itself, which is often a sign of diligence, wisdom, and blessing. Rather, Jesus was pointing out the dangerous effect that wealth can have on one's heart, distorting loves away from God and therefore preventing people from entering his kingdom.
The Son of Man on his throne – Matthew 19:28
In the new
age when the
Son of
Man sits on his
glorious throne. Jesus (the Son of Man) was speaking of the future time when the kingdom of heaven will come fully to Earth and he will reign as ruler under God the Father (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:21-28). This time of a new age can also be called the New Heavens and Earth or the New Creation (Rev. 21:1–22:21).
First and last – Matthew 19:30
Many who are
first will be
last. The new age or kingdom of heaven that Jesus is bringing will be a time of great reversal, where the humble, lowly, and faithful persecuted will be exalted and restored.
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16
Unlike many of his other parables, Jesus did not provide an interpretation for this intriguing story. As a result, there have been many different interpretations throughout the Church's history. The overall point of this story is that God is gracious and has the right to reward people as he wills and that people should not be resentful or envious when other people are blessed.
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