Matthew 19

Christ healeth many persons,1. Answers the question concerning the Bill of Divorce, 3. Teacheth that the married may not part fro adultery, 9. and that the gift of continence is not given to all, 11. Commands that the children come to him, and blessed them, 13. Answers a young man to his demand, what he must do to obtain eternal life, 16. How hardly the rich come into the Kingsom of Heaven, 23. What recompence they shall receive, that forskae their own, for Chhrists sake,27.

1. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, that he departed from Galilee, and came over Jordan, [otherwise about or neer to Jordan, as Matth. 4.15. For Judea lay on the same side of Jordan where Galileelay] into the coasts of Judea.

2. And many multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3. And the Pharisees came to him tempting him, [Namley, to see whether they could find any thing out of his amswer, whereby they might render him suspected of the people] and saying unto him, is it lawful for a man to forsake his wife [that is to be divorced from his wife. as Matth 5. verse 31.] for all manner of causes. [Gr. every]

4. But he answering, said unto them; Have ye not read, he that from the beginning made (man), that he made them male and female. [Or, but one of the male, and one of the female kind]

5. And said, [Thse are Adans words, Gen.2.24. but are here ascribed unto God, because Adam spake thhe same through Gods inspiration of Genesis 2:24.] Thferefore shall aman forsake father and mother, and shall adhere to his wife, [or, cleave to. The Greek word is a similitude taken from two several things, which with glue are fastned one to another] and they two shall be one (or into one) flesh. [that is, as one body, or as one man, 1 Cor.6.16. Ephes 5.28.]

6. So that they are no more two, but one flesh. That therefore which God hath joyned together, let no man separate.

7. They said unto hhim, Wherefore then did Moses commanded to give a Writing of Divorcement,and to forsake her [Moses indeed commanded to give a Writing of Divorcement, for the clearing of the woman, which was so wrongfully forsaken or divorced: but such forsaking he never approved; but only connived at the same, because of their hardness of heart; like as Magistrate must sometimes permit things, to avoid greater mischief, which otherwise they ought to restrain; like as Christ himself also useth the word permit, in his answer, and the Pharisees themselves, Mark 10:4.]

8. He said unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to forsake your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9. But i say unto you, that whoso forsaketh his wife, otherwise then for fornication, and marrieth another, (he) commiteth, and he that marries her that is forsaken, (also) commiteth adultery.

10. His Discipkes said unto him, if the case of a man with the wife stands thus, [Namely, that the man is bound to fast to the woman] then is it not expedient to marry.

11. But he said unto them, All (men) do not comprehend this word, [that is, have not the gift of continency, but those to whom it is especially given of God, 1 Cor 7. verse 17] but those to whom it is given.

12. For there are Eunuchs, which are born so out of their mothers womb [That is, which by nature are unsit for marriage] and there areEunuch, which are made Eunuchhs of men: [that is, which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdome of the Heavens [that is, who having the gift of continency, willingly remain unmarried, that they may serve God with less trouble, and further the Kingdom of Heaven both in themselves in others, 1 Cor 7. verse 32,33,34,35.] Otherwise he that hath not gift, it is better for himmake us of it, according as his calling or occasions permit.]

13. Then were little children brought unto him, that be should lay hands upon them, and pray: and the Disciples rebuked the same. [Namely, those that brought them, Mark 10:13.]

14. But Jesus said; Let the little children alone, and hinder them not to come to me, for such is the Kingdom of the Heaven. [Namely, of the children of the Covenant, like as those Jews children were. Otherwise the children of unbelievers are called unclean, 1 Cor. 7. ver 14.]

15. And whhen he had laid hands upon them, [This ceremony was used not only in the installing into the Ministry of the Church, but also in other special blessing, Gen 48. verse 14.] he departed from thence.

16. And behold there came one to him, and said unto him, Good Master, waht good (thing) shall i do that i amy have eternal life.

17. And he said unto him, whhy callest thou me good? None is good but one (namely) God. [Namely, of himself, perfectly and the Original of all good: such an one as thou dost not account me to be] But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandents. [Christ answereth here according to the question and opinion of this young man, who thought he was able to obtain salvation by his own good works; and thherefore Christ directs him to the Law, thereby to bring him to the acknowledgement of his imperfection, and afterwards to faith in him, Gal.3.22.24.]

18. He said unto him, which? And Jesus said (these); Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not bear false witness

19. Honour thy Father and Mother: and Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.

20. The young man said unto him, all thse things have i kept from my youth up: what lack i yet? [Gr.wherein do i yet come too short?]

21. Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, Go thy way, Sell what thou hast, and give it to the poor, [This Christ faith to convince this young man, who thought that he had all Gods commandements, forasmuch as he had outwardly lived according to the same, that he lacked much yet, yea even concerning the keeping of the commandments of the second Table, seeing he had rather keep his goods, then at the command of Christ, to give the same to the poor,and follow him: which appears also out of the twenty third verse. For he that keepeth the same, shall not hardly, but certainly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Rom. 10 verse 5.] and thou shalt have a treasure in Heaven; and come hither, follow me.

22. Now when the young man heard thhis word, he went away sorrowful: for he had muchh goods. [Gr. possession.]

23. And Jesus said unto his Disciples, Verily i say unto you, that a rich (man) shall hardly enter into the Kingdome of the Heavens. [That is, which sets his heart and trust on riches, as is expounded, Mark 10:24.]

24. And again i say unto you, it is easier [This was a proverb among the Jews, whereby they gave to understand the impossibility of any thing] that a camel [or, as some think a cable] go thorow the eye of a needle, then tha rich (man) enter into the Kingdom of God.

25. Now his Disciples hearing (this) were sore amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26. And Jesus beholding (them) said unto them, with men that is impossible [Forasmuch as God is able to withdraw even the heart of the heart of the rich from trusting in riches,a d endue them with faith in Christ, and wih an humble heart.

27. Then answerd Peter and said unto him, Behold we hhave forsaken all, and followed thee: what therefore shall be done to us? [That is, what shall we get by it.]

28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily i say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regenaration, [That is, in the restauration of all things, when the faithful shall be perfectly renewed both in body and soul, Acts 3. verse 21. 1 Cor 15.42,43. Other join the words, in the regeneration, with the foregoing] when the Son of man shall be set on the throne of of his glory, [namely, for to judge the quick and the dead] (that) ye also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel [Namely , because the Apostles shall condemn them, not oney by their example, that they have believed in Christ , whereas the other Israelites remained unbelieving, as is said of the Ninivites, Matth 12.41. but likewise by their constent, as is also said of all believers, 1 Cor.6.2,3. howsoever thhe Apostles shall herein be eminent above others, Luke 22. verse 30. Rev 21. verse 14.]

29. And whoso shal have forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father; or mother,or children, or fields, for my names sake, (he) shall receive an hundred fold, [That is, manifold. See Luke 18:30.] and inherit eternal life.

30. But many first shall be the last, and (many) last the first.