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Matthew Chapter Nineteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Various Kinds of Problems of Life and the Correct Answers

I. The sickness and pain of body and spirit------follow the Lord and they will be healed (v.1-2).

II. The problem of divorce------men should not destroy the oneness that is set by God (v.3-9).

III. The problem of virgin------only those to whom it has been given can accept (v.10-12).

IV. The problem whether little children are worthy to be blessed------for of such is the kingdom of heaven (v.13-15).

V. The problem of having eternal life through doing good works------with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible (v.16-26).

VI. The problem of gaining the reward in future------it depends on that how we leave today (v.27-30).

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 19:1 “Now it came to pass when Jesus had finished these sayings that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

   YLT: “And it came to pass when Jesus finished these words he removed from Galilee and did come to the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan

   Literal Meaning: “came to the region of Judea” He was going away to Jerusalem (See Matt. 16:21) and He was about to be crucified there (See Matt. 20:17-19). Therefore His course after this is the way of cross.

  “Beyond the Jordan” was the land of Beriah which is on the east bank of the Jordan. It was ruled by Herod Antipas and its south border is the Dead Sea. It shows that He did not pass through Samaria this time. 

 

Matt. 19:2 “And great multitudes followed Him and He healed them there.

   YLT: “and great multitudes followed him and he healed them there.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The Lake of Jordan” (See v.1) was the place where the Lord was baptized (See Matt. 3:13) ------when we fully put ourselves in the place of death we will draw many people to follow the Lord.

2) It was full of the sickness of pride offending others sinning against others and not forgiving others in Matt. 18. However as long as they followed the Lord until they were beneath the cross they were all healed.

3) Many people were sick either in body or spirit. The key for men to be healed is to walk on the way of cross following the Lord.

 

Matt. 19:3 “The Pharisees also came to Him testing Him and saying to Him Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’”

   YLT: “And the Pharisees came near to him tempting him and saying to him `Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?’”

   Meaning of Words: “divorce”: free fully release depart.

   The Background: the Jewish rabbis allowed men to divorce according to Deut. 24:1. However they disagreed with each other concerning the lawful reasons for divorce. There were mainly two groups (Shammi and Hillel). They argued with each other holding their own opinions. The Shammi held that “the unseemly thing” in that verse indicated the unfaithfulness in marriage and it was the only reason for divorce. However the Hillel stressing on the former sentence “she finds no favor in his eyes” in that verse held that as long as the wife did something that made her husband dislike her her husband was allowed to divorce her. 

   Literal Meaning: the Pharisees only stressed on the words of the Law and neglected the spirit of the Law (See Matt. 23:23) and therefore their teachings were incompatible with the Lord’s teachings. Here they wanted to tempt the Lord by the Law of Moses and take hold of Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Pharisees represent religious believers who stress on letters and regulations. If we only stress on the letters of the Bible and neglect the spiritual reality we will become the present Pharisees.

 

Matt. 19:4 “And He answered and said to them Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female '

   YLT: “And he answering said to them `Did ye not read that He who made [them] from the beginning a male and a female made them ”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord’s answer brought men to the state of “beginning”. When God created men at the beginning He made them male and female (Gen. 1:27 5:2) and His intention is for the union of male and female. Therefore marriage is set up by God Himself.

 

Matt. 19:5 “and said For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh'?

   YLT: “and said For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife and they shall be the two for one flesh?”

   Literal Meaning: v.4 shows God intention through His creation and this verse proves that marriage is predestinated by God by His words (Gen. 2:24); moreover God’s predestination is a man and a woman instead of polygamy.  

   Spiritual Meaning: “the two shall become one flesh” symbolizes Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The relation between husband and wife is more than the relation between parents and children.

2) Only when we are delivered from the root of natural life (“leave his father and mother”) can we be of one mind with all the saints in the church (“be joined to his wife”).

 

Matt. 19:6 “So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together let not man separate.’”

   YLT: “so that they are no more two but one flesh; what therefore God did join together let no man put asunder.”

   Literal Meaning: “they are no longer two but one flesh.” After the unions of marriage in God’s sight they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore when recording the number of people woman are not counted (See Matt. 14:21 15:38).

  “What God has joined together let not man separate.” Every pair of husband and wife is joined by God and they are “one flesh” before God. Therefore if they are divorced it is to awkwardly separate one flesh into two halves.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God has jointed Christ and the church and let not man separate------do not let any spiritual person thing doctrine and regulation interfere in Christ and the church.

2) “God has joined together let not man separate.” God has tempered the body together in the church and therefore we should not make divisions (See 1Cor. 12:24-25).

 

Matt. 19:7 “They said to Him Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce and to put her away?’”

   YLT: “They say to him `Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce and to put her away?’”

   Literal Meaning: here it indicates the regulation of divorcing one’s wife which was made by Moses (Deut. 24:1). However it was not the positive teaching but negative “permission” (See v.8).

 

Matt. 19:8 “He said to them Moses because of the hardness of your hearts permitted you to divorce your wives but from the beginning it was not so.

   YLT: “He saith to them `Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives but from the beginning it hath not been so.”

   Literal Meaning: Moses permitted men to divorce their wives because “the hardness of their hearts” instead of God’s intention “at the beginning”. Therefore it does not show that God likes men to divorce their wives.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When men do not listen to the words of God God may “permit” them or “give them up” for their own wills (See Rom. 1:28). But it is definitely not the God’s will.

2) Everything should be judged whether it corresponds to the will of God according to the opinion “at the beginning” instead of the existing fact.

 

Matt. 19:9 “And I say to you whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.’”

   YLT: “`And I say to you that whoever may put away his wife if not for whoredom and may marry another doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away doth commit adultery.’”

   Literal Meaning: the only reason for normal divorce is that a part has committed adultery because in God’s sight adultery is the behavior to destroy the union of husband and wife. Once the union of husband and wife before God has been destroyed there is no need to maintain the superficial union.

  “Fornication” in original means “harlotry and prostitution”. It does not seem to be the accidental sin but the habitual behavior; “adultery” in original means “the sexual behavior of married ones that destroys the marital relations”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Pharisees only stressed on letters of the Law (See v.7) and the Lord stressed on the spirit of the Law. The letter kills but the spirit quickens (See 2Cor. 3:6).

2) Believers should not walk according to the tide of the world or be only satisfied with obeying the national laws. Believers should prove the will of God in everything (See Rom. 12:2).

 

Matt. 19:10 “His disciples said to Him If such is the case of the man with his wife it is better not to marry.’”

   YLT: “His disciples say to him ‘If the case of the man with the woman is so it is not good to marry.’”

   Literal Meaning: the disciples meant that once men get married they are restrained and they won’t be released except for sexual immorality. If such is the case it is better not to marry.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the attitude that one does not marry because he fears the unhappy marriage is not praised by God. Today the phenomenon that a man and a woman cohabit and do not get married prevails is due to this kind of attitude.

 

Matt. 19:11 “But He said to them All cannot accept this saying but only those to whom it has been given:

   YLT: “And he said to them `All do not receive this word but those to whom it hath been given;”

   Meaning of Words: “accept”: receive admit contain and make room for.

   Literal Meaning: whether one marries or not is not his will. Only those to whom the gift of God is given (See 1Cor. 7:7 37) are able to not marry. If someone does not have this gift and is reluctant to not marry probably he will not overcome temptations (See 1Cor. 7:2 9).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This verse shows God will: to the majority God likes them to marry beget sons and daughters and lead the whole family to serve God (See Josh. 24:15); to the minority God gives them special gifts to serve God whole-heartedly (See 1Cor. 7:33-35).

2) Every spiritual thing should be in accordance with whether one has received from God. To the one to whom it has been given he should hold fast it. To the one to whom it has not been given he should not imitate artificially or force others to do so.

 

Matt. 19:12 “For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it let him accept it.’”

   YLT: “for there are eunuchs who from the mother’s womb were so born; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive [it] let him receive.’”

   Literal Meaning: “there are eunuchs who were born thus” indicates those who innately physiological defects and lose the sexual ability. It is inborn impotency.  “Eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men” indicate those who are forced to lose the sexual ability because of environment or punishment. It is acquired impotency. “There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.” “Made themselves eunuchs” does not mean to “cut themselves off” (See Gal. 5:12) or the asceticism (See Col. 2:23 1Tim. 4:3). It meant that those who have been given the gifts from God have insipid feelings towards those with the opposite sex. Therefore they decide to not marry all their life lest they may be distracted by family. Then they should care for the things of the Lord and the kingdom whole-heartedly and serve the Lord fervently (See 1Cor. 7:32-35). 

  “He who is able to accept it let him accept it.” “It” means the word that one does not marry instead of the word that one should not divorce. Therefore this verse shows that one to whom it has not been given is unable to make himself eunuch for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake have been given special gifts and they have special positions in the kingdom of heaven (See Rev. 14:4).

2) If believers have not been given the gift to keep their virginity it is better for them to choose the suitable marriage partner after marriageable age according to normal human feelings. It is wise for them to live a life of matrimony.

 

Matt. 19:13 “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray but the disciples rebuked them.

   YLT: “Then were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them.”

   Literal Meaning: “that He might put His hands on them and pray” shows that they ask the Lord to bless them.

  “But the disciples rebuked them.” It is most probably that the disciples thought the little children little naïve and ignorant and they should not block the Lord’s journey to Jerusalem.

   Spiritual Meaning: “put His hand on them” has two spiritual meanings: 1) The one who has been put on of hands and the one who puts his hand on others are united to one (See 1Tim. 5:22); 2) The one who puts his hands on others delivers blessing to the one who has been put on of hands (See 2Tim. 1:6).

   Enlightenment in the Word: in men’s natural concept it is full of the thoughts of divisions of honor and lowliness (See James. 2:1-7). Unconsciously believers may be puffed up one for one against another (See 1Cor. 4:6). However those who fear the Lord should not be with respect of persons (See James. 2:1).

 

Matt. 19:14 “But Jesus said Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’”

   YLT: “But Jesus said `Suffer the children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the reign of the heavens;’”

   Literal Meaning: “for of such” that are like little children indicate being like the pure humble and dependent characters of little children and these are the qualifications to enter the kingdom of heaven (See Matt. 18:3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the church nothing is so little that the Lord does not care about and therefore we should bring all things whether it is great or not to the Lord.

2) In the church no one is so great that he thinks that something is too small for them and disdains to do it.

3) Those who think that they own nothing and ask for the Lord humbly will be acceptable to the Lord.

 

Matt. 19:15 “And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

   YLT: “and having laid on them [his] hands he departed thence.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord not only did not despise our lowliness but also was willing to be united to the humble and blessed us.

2) “Departed from there” shows that men do not always have the chance. We should seize any chance to be given grace and ask for the Lord’s grace. We should not wait until he departs and at that time it is too late.

 

Matt. 19:16 “Now behold one came and said to Him Good Teacher what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’”

   YLT: “And lo one having come near said to him `Good teacher what good thing shall I do that I may have life age-during?’”

   Literal Meaning: “one” is a young rich man (See v.22).

  “Good teacher” shows that he saw Jesus as “teacher” to teach others instead of the “savior” to save all the people (See John 3:2).

  “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” This sentence includes four meanings: 1) He knew the importance to “have eternal life”. 2) He confessed that there was no eternal life in him 3) He thought that he may have eternal life by doing good thing. 4) He did not know what good thing to do in order to have eternal life.

  “Have eternal life” is “be saved” (See v.25). It means to have the eternal life of God and to be delivered from the eternal perdition (See John. 3:16).

 

Matt. 19:17 “So He said to him Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One that is God. But if you want to enter into life keep the commandments.’”

   YLT: “And he said to him `Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good except One God; but if thou dost will to enter into the life keep the commands.’”

   Literal Meaning: “Why do you call Me good?” shows that the Lord deeply did not approve of his view in his words that one could have eternal life by doing good thing.

  “No one is good but One that is God” means that there is none good besides God (See Rom. 3:10). That the Lord said so did not show that He thought him sinful or same with normal men. However it shows that: 1) God is the source of true goodness. 2) Men do not have true goodness once they depart from God.

  “But if you want to enter into life” Speaking from the broad sense “enter into life” and “have eternal life” are synonyms. However speaking from the narrow sense they are different. “Have eternal life” means that God’s life enters into us as our life and keeps us alive forever. Therefore it is also called “be saved” (See v.25); “enter into life” means to enter into the realm of eternal life and be delivered from the everlasting perdition (See Matt. 25:46); It is not necessary that only those who have eternal life are able to enter into the eternal life because the Lord Jesus pointed out in another parable that as long as someone treats one of the least of these he is qualified to enter into the eternal life (See Matt. 25:41-46).

  Some Bible exegetes explained “enter into life” as “walk according to the life of God”. However the young rich man had not received the Lord’s salvation and he had not received the Lord’s life. Therefore the Lord wouldn’t ask him to walk according to God’s life.

  “Keep the commandments” means that one is able to enter into life as long as he keeps the commandments because if men truly keep the Law they will live in them (See Gal. 3:12). However the problem is that nobody is able to keep the whole law by himself. Therefore the Lord here mentioned “keep the commandments” so as to enlighten him about two things: 1) the commandments show God’s love and His holy and righteous disposition; 2) since men are unable to keep the whole law by this the Lord wanted to make him learn his corruption from failure and comprehend that men are unable to have eternal life by doing good thing.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A worthless tree cannot produce good fruits (See Matt. 7:18). The world cannot do something good through the evil nature.

2) The good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things (See Matt. 12:35). However only God is good. Therefore no matter what we do the things we do cannot be counted as good in God’s sight.

3) That except the righteousness of believers shall exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees we shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (See Matt. 5:20). Therefore we should not only keep the commandments of the Old Testament concerning morality but also keep the new commandments issued by the king of the kingdom of heaven (Matt.5-7).

 

Matt. 19:18 “He said to Him Which ones? Jesus said You shall not murder ' You shall not commit adultery ' You shall not steal ' You shall not bear false witness '

   YLT: “He saith to him `What kind?’ And Jesus said ‘Thou shalt not kill thou shalt not commit adultery thou shalt not steal thou shalt not bear false witness ”

   Literal Meaning: these commandments are the regulations about interpersonal relations in the Old Testament (See Exod. 20:12-16 Lev. 19:18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though believers of the New Testament do not need to keep the commandments of ceremonies in the Old Testament we should still keep the commandments of morality.

2) In the church we should keep spiritual commandments: 1) do not spread the factor of death------murder; 2) do not bring in the world------commit adultery; 3) do not usurp the glory of God------steal; 4) do not bear witness to things besides Christ------bear false witness.

 

Matt. 19:19Honor your father and your mother ' and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

   YLT: “honour thy father and mother and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’”

 

Matt. 19:20 “The young man said to Him All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’”

   YLT: “The young man saith to him `All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?’”

   Literal Meaning: unfortunately this young man had not seen his incapacity and thought that he had kept all these things. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who think themselves righteous indeed live in darkness and they are unable to see their transgressions.

2) As long as someone has offended in the least commandment of the Law he is guilty of all (See James. 2:10). Moreover men could keep the commandments in letters at most and they unavoidably sin against the commandments in spirit. 

 

Matt. 19:21 “Jesus said to him If you want to be perfect go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.’”

   YLT: “Jesus said to him ‘If thou dost will to be perfect go away sell what thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come follow me.’”

   Literal Meaning: here the Lord raised the strictest claim to show his imperfectness.

  “If you want to be perfect” implies that he was not “perfect” at that time------even if men have kept all the commandments they are still imperfect in the sight of the Lord.

 “Go sell what you have” shows that “what he has” is the clear proof for his imperfectness and therefore he should sell what he has.

  “Give to the poor” shows that if he is unable to “give what he has to the poor” it proves that he couldn’t “love his neighbor as himself” (See v.20).

  “You will have treasure in heaven” shows that what he has is only on earth and he has nothing in heaven.

  “Come follow Me” indicates that even if he has given what he has to the poor probably the poor instead of the Lord are in his heart (See Matt. 26:11). Therefore he has to “follow the Lord” i.e. he has to love the Lord more than all (See Matt. 10:37-38).

  According to the context this verse is not the general rule to ask every Christian to lead a poor life. The Lord asked the young man to do so with a purpose of letting him know that he hasn’t kept all the commandments indeed (See v.20) and therefore he may come to realize that men cannot have eternal life through doing good (See v.16).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) On this verse hangs all the Law: “go sell what you have and give to the poor” i.e. “love your neighbor as yourselves”; “come follow Me” is “love the Lord thy God”.

2) The Lord demands more and more: 1) “go and sell”------it is possible for common ones to sell the possession for money (See Acts. 5:1); 2) “give to the poor”------it is very difficult; 3) “come follow Me”------it is more difficult because what one gives is the external things besides the body and what he follows is “the whole person”.

3) The Lord asked the young man to sell what he has and then follow the Lord showing that what we have are always the obstacles to follow the Lord.

4) Believers should not only pay attention to their own needs but also care for the needs of others. Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others. (Pill. 2:4).

 

Matt. 19:22 “But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.

   YLT: “And the young man having heard the word went away sorrowful for he had many possessions;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Anyone that keeps something for himself and is unwilling to follow the Lord leads a sorrowful life.

2) If it is by grace even little children are put hands on by the Lord and receive blessing (See v.13-15); if it is by deeds even someone who has kept all the commandments (See v.20) went away sorrowful consequently.

3) The more possessions men have the greedier men are. This situation can also be applied in spiritual things if men stress on spiritual possessions besides the Lord such as eloquence knowledge and gifts they will be sorrowful consequently.

4) Those who love treasure more than the Lord make themselves sorrowful. However those who love the Lord more than all have the fullness of joyful though they have lost their goods (See Heb. 10:34).

5) Great possessions may hold men back from following the Lord; not only the material sufficiency but also spiritual complacency will hold men back from being given grace.

6) Though that young man had come to Christ he had not obtained Christ; if we cannot forsake all things “what things were gain to me”------the former spiritual achievement or seek Christ earnestly probably we will not fully obtain Christ (See Pill. 3:7 12).

7) Earthly things and heavenly things cannot be complete in both respects. So are worldly things and spiritual things. If believers are reluctant to give up the earthly and worldly things they have no hope to be heavenly and spiritually rich.

 

Matt. 19:23 “Then Jesus said to His disciples Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

   YLT: “and Jesus said to his disciples `Verily I say to you that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens;”

   Literal Meaning: “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” “Enter the kingdom” means “enter the kingdom of God” (See v.24). On one hand being born from above is the prerequisite to enter the kingdom of God (See John. 3:3 5). And as long as we believe in the Lord we will be born from above and therefore it is not difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven; on the other the Lord asked that rich man to “sell what he has and give to the poor come and follow Him” as the prerequisite to enter the kingdom of God. Therefore “enter the kingdom of heaven” here is not equal to “have eternal life” and “be saved”. “Entering the kingdom of heaven” in the Gospel of Matthew means that believers must live in the reality of the kingdom of heaven in this life as genuine citizens of the kingdom of heaven and when the Lord comes back they are able to gain the glory of the kingdom. Considering this meaning it is indeed difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

   Spiritual Meaning: the spiritual definition of “a rich man” those who own something besides the Lord and are unwilling to deny themselves or lose the enjoyments of souls for the sake of the Lord (See Matt. 16:24-25).

 

Matt. 19:24 “And again I say to you it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’”

   YLT: “and again I say to you it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.’”

   The Background: “to go through the eye of a needle ” There is always another smaller door besides the normal gate concerning the Jewish city gates in ancient times. The small door is called “the door of the eye of a needle”. During the day the bigger gate is open for the coming in and going out of men and goods; until the evening the bigger gate is closed and only the door of the eye of a needle is open. That smaller door is so small that only men are allowed to come in and go out. Therefore when the camel carrying goods wants to pass the door the goods have to be unloaded first and then the camel has to incline and crawl with men’s push and drawing and then the camel is able to pass the door. Then “a camel to go through the eye of a needle” has become a saying to describe that something is very difficult but it is not absolutely impossible.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though it is difficult for rich men to enter the kingdom of heaven it is not absolutely impossible; “camel” is the animal to carry goods and it represents treasure------as long as one is willing to dedicate the treasure for the use of the Lord he will come in.

2) Though it is difficult for the great camel to go through the small eye of a needle as long as the principle of cross is applied that is to deny oneself burn self into ashes and come to naught it is possible to pass through.

 

Matt. 19:25 “When His disciples heard it they were greatly astonished saying Who then can be saved?’”

   YLT: “And his disciples having heard were amazed exceedingly saying `Who then is able to be saved?’”

   Literal Meaning: broadly speaking “be saved” “have eternal life” (v.16) “enter into life” (v.17) “enter the kingdom of heaven” (v.23) and “enter the kingdom of God” are synonyms. However narrowly speaking they are divided into three kinds: 1) “be saved” and “have eternal life” are the same (See the note of v.16); 2) “enter into life” itself is a kind; 3) “enter the kingdom of heaven” is equal with “enter the kingdom of God” (See the note of v.23).

 

Matt. 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said to them With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.’”

   YLT: “And Jesus having earnestly beheld said to them `With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Not only the young man thought that it is impossible for man to enter the kingdom of heaven (See v.22) but also the disciples thought it is impossible (See v.25). The Lord Himself also proved that “with men this is impossible”. Men are impossible to enter the kingdom of heaven by themselves.

2) “With God all things are possible.” God is able to change the impossibility of men into possibility. God’s way is to give Himself to men strengthen men in them and enable men to “have strength for all things” (See Pill. 4:13).

3) “With men this is impossible” declares the uselessness of men’s deeds; “but with God all things are possible” manifests the fullness of God’s grace. Only by faith instead of deeds can we be saved (See Eph. 2:8-9).

4) After we have been saved we have to rely on God’s “possibility of all things” to do good works (See Eph. 2:10) then we will indeed live in the reality of the kingdom of heaven (See 2Pet. 1:10-11).

 

Matt. 19:27 “Then Peter answered and said to Him See we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’”

   YLT: “Then Peter answering said to him `Lo we did leave all and follow thee what then shall we have?’”

   Literal Meaning: Peter meant that since we have left something we should have something in future and it is reasonable. Though it is not wrong it is with the nature of exchange and its motive is not noble.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Peter’s “see” shows his “possession”. He is “a spiritually rich man” and really has something to boast.

2) The reason why that we are able to leave something to follow the Lord is God’s attraction working and strengthening and therefore we should glorify God.

 

Matt. 19:28 “So Jesus said to them Assuredly I say to you that in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

   YLT: “And Jesus said to them `Verily I say to you that ye who did follow me in the regeneration when the Son of Man may sit upon a throne of his glory shall sit ye also upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel;”

   Meaning of Words: “regeneration”: renovation restoration and rebirth.

   Literal Meaning: “in the regeneration” indicates the time when the Lord comes back brings in the kingdom of a thousand years and the times of the restitutions of all things (See Acts. 3:21); at that time the Lord shall reign on the throne (Rev. 11:15) and thrones more than two shall be given to the overcomers who have followed Him including the twelve apostles who will judge Israel and the peoples (Rev. 20:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since God is righteous He will never disregard our intention and deeds to leave all things to follow Him and we will gain reward assuredly.

2) We are saved by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8) and we gain the reward of the kingdom by men’s deeds (Rev. 22:12).

 

Matt. 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for My name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.

   YLT: “and every one who left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name’s sake an hundredfold shall receive and life age-during shall inherit;”

   Meaning of Words: “inherit”: be heir obtain by inherence.

   Literal Meaning: “shall receive a hundredfold” indicated to obtain full enjoyment and joy in this age (See Mark. 10:30). Any brother and sister in the Lord are closer than one’s own family members and one is able to share their possessions.

  “And inherit eternal life” indicates to obtain the blessing of the everlasting life in the coming age (See Luke. 18:30).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The reward of the kingdom is both in this age and the coming age.

2) The reward of the kingdom of heaven is a “hundredfold” and this reward is Christ Himself because Christ is fully perfect.

 

Matt. 19:30 “But many who are first will be last and the last first.

   YLT: “and many first shall be last and last first.”

   Literal Meaning: “but many who are first will be last.” It is the word of warning; the word “but” is the warning to Peter’s self-complacence towards his present state (See v.27). If men boast or show off that they have left something for the Lord they will “be last”.

  “The last first” is the word of encouragement. Though one may be last in the beginning all things are not determined by this. Therefore it is still possible to turn to be first.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) To those who ran well (See Gal. 5:7) even if they do not have the spirit of pride if they slack off and do not try their best to run (See Pill. 3:13-14 Heb. 12:1) they will fall behind.

2) For the reward of the kingdom we should try our best to run (1Cor. 9:24) and finish the race (2Tim. 4:7) then we may be “first”.

3) Our duty is to run and the Lord is the one who judges who is first or last.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Relation between Our Behaviors and the Kingdom

I. Behaviors are related to entering the kingdom of heaven:

  A. One has to overcome the difficulty of sickness (v.1-2).

  B. One has to overcome the difficulty of lust (v.3-12).

  C. One has to overcome the difficulty of pride (v.13-15).

  D. One has to overcome the difficulty of the love of money (v.16-26).

II. Behaviors are related to gaining the reward of the kingdom:

  A. One has to leave all and then is able to obtain the reward of the kingdom (v.27-29).

  B. There are “first” and “last” in gaining the reward of the kingdom (v.30).

 

The Lord’s Different Attitudes and Requests towards Different Kinds of Men

I. To sick ones------He sympathized them and saved them (v.1-2).

II. To the Pharisees who tempted Him------He was unwilling to sacrifice the truth and compromise with them (v.3-12).

III. To the disciples who lacked love------He showed them an example of love (v.13-15).

IV. To the young and rich man who conducted himself virtuously------He pointed out his weakness (v.16-22).

V. To those who denied themselves to follow Him------He showed clearly the blessing (v.23-30).

 

God’s Intentions at the beginning

I. God wants to be united to men:

   A. God’s intention at the beginning is to show that He wants to be united to men through “the two shall become one flesh” (v.3-6).

   B. Men disregard God’s intention at the beginning because of the hardness of their hearts (v.7-8).

   C. Sin (adultery) has destroyed the oneness (v.8-10).

   D. God shows His grace to the minority and makes them fully live for God for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (v.11-12).

II. God wants to be men’s full provision:

   A. Men hold that they can partake in the heavenly blessing through their own strength (the grown-ups) (v.13-15).

   B. Men want to obtain the reward of eternal life through doing good works (v.16).

   C. All the thing that men have contrarily hold men back from receiving the heavenly blessing (v.17-22).

   D. Men have to give up their own effort and struggle and fully trust and rely on God (v.23-26).

   E. If men leave all they have they will receive God as the fullness of reward------the reward of the kingdom (v.27-30).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren