Matthew 19:1-15
Q.1. What was Jesus doing in Judea and beyond the Jordan? What was behind the question by the Pharisees on divorce? What authority did Jesus use to answer the question? – (Mt.19:1-6 c.f. Mk.10:1)
Jesus left the region of Galilee and travelled south to the region of Judea and Perea (i.e. beyond Jordan), on His way to His final visit to Jerusalem. Large crowds soon gathered – and He healed them there (Mt.19:2). Soon the Pharisees re-engaged with Him, this time on the controversial subject of divorce. The Jewish Rabbis of the day, Shammai and Hillel, differed sharply regarding divorce. The Shammaites interpreted the law rigidly and permitted a man to divorce his wife, only if she was guilty of sexual immorality. The Hillelites took a wholly pragmatic approach and permitted a man to divorce his wife indiscriminately. They were testing Jesus. He bypassed their interpretive debates by using the authority of the Scriptures to speak about marriage and divorce. He reinforced that: (i) Marriage is between a man and a woman … Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female (Mt.19:4). Same Sex Marriage cannot be supported on Biblical grounds. (ii) Marriage is about Oneness between a man and a woman – …For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ (Mt.19:5). (iii) Marriage is meant to be permanent – So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man separate (Mt.19:6).
Q.2. Is divorce advisable? Did God make provision for divorce? Why did the Law allow for divorce? Under what circumstances may re-marriage be permissible? – (Mt.19:6-9 c.f. Mt.5:31-32; 1 Cor.7:15)
Jesus was clear that marriage was intended to be permanent, and that divorce was not part of God’s original plan for marriage (Mt.19:6 c.f. Gen.2:18 & 24). The Pharisees then pointed out about the provision for divorce written in the law of Moses (Mt.19:7 c.f. Dt.24:1-4). God designed marriage at the beginning, before the Fall (c.f. Gen.2:18 & 24). The Fall brought sin and death. This means that it is possible for people who promised to love each other ‘till death do us part’, to end up trying to destroy the one whom they once loved. Jesus explained that God included the provision – because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way (Mt.19:8). Here as in Matthew 5:32, Jesus included what is termed – the Exception Clause, permitting the innocent party in such a divorce to remarry without being accused of committing adultery – (Mt.19:9).
Q.3. What point was Peter making? What place will Christ’s disciples have in the coming Kingdom? When will the reward promised become a reality? Do the blessings of this life guarantee blessing in the future? – (Mt.19:27-30)
Peter, speaking on behalf of the Twelve, pointed out that they had already done what Jesus advised the rich young ruler to do (Mt.19:27). Jesus told His disciples – … Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt.19:28). Though Jesus had prophesied His suffering and death, He was certain that He would rise and fulfill the prophecies of His Millennial Reign at a future time. The disciples would join Him and reign over the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who leaves all to follow Him – … will receive many times as much and will inherit eternal life (Mt.19:29). All who follow Christ will receive much more in terms of spiritual blessings, than what they have sacrificed – some blessings will be in this life, but all will inherit the blessings in eternal life. Mark quoted the promise this way – 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life (Mk.10:30). Our family will extend to God’s family. He also suggested that there may even be houses and farms. However, with this there may be trials.