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;

1Jesus finished saying these things. Then he left Galilee. He went to the part of Judea across the Jordan River.

2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

2Big crowds followed him. He healed the sick people there.

3The 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?

3Some Pharisees came to test him. Pharisees were teachers who studied God's rules very carefully. They asked, "Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" To divorce means to end a marriage.

4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

4Jesus answered them, "Have you not read it? At the very beginning, God made people 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?

5"God also said, 'A man will leave his father and mother. He will join himself to his wife. The two of them will become one.'"

6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

6"So they are not two people anymore. They are one. God joined them together. No person should pull them apart."

7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

7They asked him, "Then why did Moses say a man could give his wife a paper ending the marriage and send her away?" Moses was the leader who gave God's laws long ago.

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.

8Jesus said, "Moses let you send your wives away because your hearts were stubborn. But it was not that way at the beginning."

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.

9"Now I tell you this. Suppose a man divorces his wife and marries another woman. He breaks his marriage promise. The one reason that is not so is if his wife was unfaithful to him. And a man who marries the woman who was sent away breaks a marriage promise too."

10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

10His followers said to him, "If that is how it is between a husband and wife, then it is better not to marry."

11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

11But Jesus said, "Not everyone can accept what I just said. Only the people God helps can accept it."

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.

12"Some men are born unable to have children. Other men were made that way by people. And some men choose never to marry, so they can serve God's kingdom. Whoever can accept this should accept it."

NoteThe old word here is "eunuch." It means a man who cannot father children. Jesus names three kinds: men born that way, men made that way by others, and men who choose to live without marrying.

13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

13Then people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on them and pray. But his followers told those people to stop.

14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

14But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Do not keep them away. God's kingdom belongs to people like them."

NoteThe KJV says "suffer little children." In 1611, "suffer" meant allow. Jesus is saying "let them come," not that the children were hurting. "Forbid them not" means do not stop them.

15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

15He put his hands on the children. Then he went on from there.

16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

16A man came to Jesus and asked, "Good Teacher, what good thing must I do to have life forever?"

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.

17Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? Only one is good, and that is God. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments God gave."

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,

18The man asked, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "Do not murder. Do not break your marriage promise. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about other people."

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

19"Honor your father and your mother. And love the people near you as much as you love yourself."

20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

20The young man said to him, "I have done all of these since I was a boy. What am I still missing?"

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.

21Jesus told him, "If you want to be complete, go and sell everything you own. Give the money to poor people. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."

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

22The young man heard this and walked away sad. He owned a great many things.

23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

23Then Jesus said to his followers, "I tell you the truth. It is hard for a rich man to enter God's kingdom."

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.

24"I will say it again. It is easier for a camel to go through the tiny hole in a sewing needle. That is easier than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom."

25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

25His followers heard this and were very surprised. They asked, "Then who can be saved?"

26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

26Jesus looked at them and said, "People cannot do this by themselves. But God can do anything."

27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

27Then Peter said to him, "Look, we left everything and followed you. So what will we get?"

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.

28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth. One day God will make everything new. Then the Son of Man will sit on his shining throne. You who followed me will sit on twelve thrones. You will judge the twelve family groups of Israel."

Note"Son of Man" is a name Jesus used for himself. The KJV word "regeneration" means the time when God makes the whole world new.

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.

29"Some people have given up things to follow me. They left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or land. Each one of them will get back a hundred times as much. They will also receive life forever."

30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

30"But many who are first now will be last. And many who are last now will be first."