Matthew 19:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

NIV: Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

NASB: and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

CSB: Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

NLT: Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.

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

NKJV: And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

Jesus has left Galilee behind and set out for Jerusalem to complete the mission for which He was sent (Matthew 19:1). He knew that He would suffer and then be killed by the Jewish religious leaders before being raised on the third day (Matthew 16:12; 17:22–23).

However, that did not mean that His work in healing people and teaching was completed just yet. Large crowds continued to follow Him in hopes of being healed or seeing His miracles. Jesus continued to heal those who came to them with their diseases and afflictions and demon oppression, even on the east side of the Jordan River.

Matthew 19:1–12 is Jesus' response to a question from Pharisees about divorce. After establishing that marriage was designed to be lifelong by God at creation, Jesus insists that divorce is unlawful except in the case of sexual immorality. The disciples suggest it would be better not to marry, at all, in that case. Jesus says that is not true, and a life of celibacy is only for certain people, such as eunuchs of various kinds.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/8/2024 1:09:41 AM