Summary of Matthew chapter 19:

1. Teaching on Divorce (verses 1–12):

   • The Pharisees question Jesus about the lawfulness of divorce.

   • Jesus replies that marriage was intended by God to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman.

   • He refers to Genesis, saying, “What God has joined together, let no one separate.”

   • Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts, but it was not God’s original intention.

   • Jesus states that anyone who divorces, except for sexual immorality, and remarries, commits adultery.

   • The disciples respond that it might be better not to marry, and Jesus explains that not everyone can accept this teaching—some are celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

2. Jesus Blesses the Children (verses 13–15):

   • People bring children to Jesus for a blessing, but the disciples rebuke them.

   • Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me,” and emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

   • He blesses the children.

3. The Rich Young Man (verses 16–30):

   • A young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life.

   • Jesus tells him to keep the commandments.

   • When the man asks which ones, Jesus lists several (do not murder, do not commit adultery, etc.).

   • The man says he has kept them all and asks what he still lacks.

   • Jesus tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him.

   • The man goes away sad because he has great wealth.

   • Jesus comments on how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, using the image of a camel going through the eye of a needle.

   • The disciples are astonished and ask, “Who then can be saved?”

   • Jesus replies, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

   • Peter asks what the disciples will receive for leaving everything to follow Him.

   • Jesus promises them thrones in the renewal of all things and eternal life, concluding with, “Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”