Matthew 19:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,

NIV: Haven't you read,' he replied, 'that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'

NASB: And He answered and said, 'Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,

CSB: "Haven't you read," he replied, "that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female,

NLT: Haven’t you read the Scriptures?' Jesus replied. 'They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ '

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

NKJV: And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’

Some Pharisees are attempting to trap Jesus with a tricky question. They don't like Jesus, and they want to bring Him down. They hope either to discredit Him in the eyes of some of the people or to get Him to say something they can label as heresy. This time, they have asked Jesus about the hotly debated topic of whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason.

As He so often does, Jesus quotes from Scripture in response, rather than framing His response as an opinion or a debate point. He asks them if they have read—referring to Genesis—that the One who made people from the beginning made them male and female. He will finish the quote in the following verse.

Jesus knows these highly religious Pharisees have read and, in some cases, memorized the entire Scriptures. And yet, He often asks if they have read the Word of God. By implication, He is suggesting they are ignoring the truth they have been given by God. This is one of His primary complaints with these religious leaders (John 5:39–40).

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 5/5/2024 2:07:06 PM