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Matthew 19

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

What does Matthew 19:23 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 19:23 addresses the difficulty for individuals with wealth to enter the kingdom of heaven.

The verse comes from Jesus' teaching to His disciples and is a continuation of a conversation about salvation and eternal life in relation to material possessions.

The term "rich man" represents those who are materially wealthy, and the phrase "hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven" suggests a significant challenge or complication in achieving spiritual fulfillment or being part of God's eternal kingdom.

The verse should not be interpreted to mean that wealth is inherently evil or that the wealthy are automatically excluded from salvation, but rather that the dependence on wealth and the mindset of self-reliance it often creates can be obstacles to embracing the values of the kingdom of heaven, such as humility, generosity, and trust in God over worldly goods.

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Historical Context

This verse is situated within the context of Jesus' ministry around Judea and Galilee in the first century.

The Jewish society of the time had strong expectations about the Messiah and the coming kingdom of God, which many believed would have political and material implications.

Wealth was sometimes viewed as a sign of God's favor, and poverty was often associated with sinfulness or divine disfavor.

Matthew 19:16-30 describes the encounter where a rich young ruler approached Jesus to ask about eternal life.

Jesus responds not only by referencing the commandments but also by challenging the man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him.

The young man, saddened by this requirement, chooses his wealth over following Jesus.

This event sets the stage for Jesus' teaching in verse 23, illustrating the tension between earthly wealth and the demands of following Jesus.

Theological Insights

Theologically, verse 23 has been interpreted in various ways.

Some Christian denominations emphasize the literal aspect of wealth posing a challenge to entering heaven, urging believers to live modestly. They argue that preoccupation with riches can distract from spiritual growth and lead to a lack of dependence on God.

Others interpret the verse symbolically, suggesting that "riches" may refer to anything that becomes an idol or a priority over one’s relationship with God, such as power, status, or ego.

Thus, the teaching is seen as a call to prioritize God and spiritual well-being over worldly possessions or achievements.

A key theological point here is the matter of where one's ultimate trust lies.

The verse can be seen as an encouragement to trust in God's provision and grace rather than in one's capacity to provide for oneself through riches.

Practical Applications

In terms of practical application, this verse can be a prompt for self-reflection and assessment of one's values and priorities. It encourages individuals to consider the role of material possessions in their lives and to cultivate generosity and detachment from wealth.

One can apply this teaching by engaging in charitable giving, volunteering, and practicing simplicity. It can also lead to an examination of the ways reliance on wealth may hinder one's spiritual life and impede the ability to fully commit to Christ's teachings.

Cross-References

Mark 10:25 - "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Luke 18:24-25 - "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
1 Timothy 6:9-10 - "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is δυσκόλως εἰσελεύσεται (duskolōs eiseleusetai), which translates to "will hardly enter." "Duskolōs" is an adverb meaning "with difficulty," "hardly," or "scarcely." The verb "eiseleusetai" comes from εἰσέρχομαι (eiserchomai), which means "to enter" or "to go into." The emphasis is on the difficulty or improbability of the action, indicating not impossibility, but significant hindrance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this teaching with other cultural and religious traditions, one could look into the dharma of renunciation in Hinduism or Buddhist teachings on non-attachment to material things. Both emphasize the importance of detaching from worldly possessions for spiritual progression.

In Greco-Roman culture, philosophical schools like Stoicism taught the importance of virtue over wealth. The value of simplicity and self-reliance or contentment with little can be found in the writings of philosophers such as Seneca and Epictetus.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, studies in psychology could align with the themes of this verse by looking at the relationship between wealth, happiness, and satisfaction.

Studies show that after a certain point, additional wealth does not significantly increase one's happiness or well-being, and an overemphasis on material wealth can lead to increased stress and decreased life satisfaction.

Another perspective could be the analysis of charitable giving and its effects on the brain, wherein generosity is shown to activate regions associated with pleasure and social connection, suggesting that there are psychological benefits aligned with the principles taught in this verse.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various commentaries on Matthew 19:23.

Some emphasize the verse as a warning against the perils of wealth and the moral and spiritual dangers of greed. Others argue for a balanced view, where wealth in itself is not condemned, but the love of money and what it represents can become a barrier to a relationship with God.

Commentators like William Barclay and John Stott have pointed out that wealth can create a false sense of security, misleading people to trust in their riches rather than God.

They also note that this teaching is consistent throughout the Gospels, where Jesus frequently addresses the issue of material possessions and their potential to lead one away from God.

Matthew 19

Matthew 19

What does Matthew 19:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 19:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?