- 1And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
- 2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
- 3 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?
- 4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
- 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
- 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
- 7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
- 8He 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.
- 9And 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.
- 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
- 11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
- 12For 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.
- 13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
- 14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
- 15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
- 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- 17And 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.
- 18He 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,
- 19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- 20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
- 21Jesus 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.
- 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
- 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- 24And 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.
- 25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
- 26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
- 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
- 28And 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.
- 29And 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.
- 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
KING JAMES VERSION
MATTHEW 19
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Matthew 19 — Jesus upholds covenant faithfulness, welcomes children, and exposes the hold that riches can have on the heart.
About this illustration
The welcomed children and departing rich young ruler are joined along one road. The camel remains ordinary background travel rather than a literalized image of the needle’s eye.
Scripture basis: Matthew 19:1–30King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGEANCIENT TEXT CONNECTIONS 
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Related 1 Enoch Passages
These links distinguish direct quotation, explicit retelling, strong literary parallel, and broader shared tradition. A parallel does not by itself prove direct dependence.
The Son of Man or Elect One sits on a throne of glory to judge.
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th Century
Papyrus P25: Matthew 19:6–7 in a Greek Witness
Berlin Papyrus 16388, designated P25, preserves Matthew 18:32–34 and portions of 19:1–10 in an unusually paraphrastic Greek text whose possible relationship to Gospel harmony remains debated.
Matthew 18:32–34 · Matthew 19:1–3 · Matthew 19:5–7
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th Century
Papyrus P71: Matthew 19:10–11 in a Greek Witness
P.Oxy. XXIV 2385 is a late-fourth-century papyrus codex fragment preserving Matthew 19:10–11 and 17–18, including two noteworthy small-scale readings.
Matthew 19:10–11 · Matthew 19:17–18
Sermons
Battle Ready - Making it to Supper by Pastor Nancy Odle
In “Battle Ready - Making it to Supper by Pastor Nancy Odle,” Pastor Nancy Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about marriage and covenant, family discipleship, biblical love. Drawing especially from Revelation 196, Revelation 19:6-9, Luke 14, 1 John 3:4, the teaching emphasizes that marriage is treated as a covenant requiring faithfulness, sacrifice, truth, and biblical order. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that faithfulness in the home requires instruction, loving correction, protection, and a consistent Christian example.
Doctrine and DiscernmentMarriage and FamilySpiritual Warfare
View sermon Battle Ready
In “Battle Ready,” Pastor Nancy Odle teaches married couples to recognize that their spouse is not the enemy. Because husband and wife are one flesh, insults, suspicion, contempt, and scorekeeping wound the same union God joined together. Drawing from Matthew 19, 2 Corinthians 2, David and Michal, and practical marriage examples, she traces how spiritual suggestions can become resentment, hardness of heart, and destructive speech when they are not recognized and rejected.
Christian LivingMarriage and FamilySpiritual WarfareDoctrine and DiscernmentBible Prophecy
View sermon Believer or Follower?
In “Believer or Follower,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about faith, holiness, the authority of Scripture. Drawing especially from 2 Corinthians 13, John 17, Genesis 1:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the teaching emphasizes that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness.
Doctrine and DiscernmentChristian LivingHoly Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
View sermon