ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

Matthew 19

Book: Matthew · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"1. And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea beyond the Jordan; 2. and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3. And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4. And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5. and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? 6. So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7. They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? 8. He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. 10. The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry. 11. But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. 12. For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that 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 lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14. But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. 15. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 16. And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17. And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. 18. He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19. Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions. 23. And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25. And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? 26. And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? 28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29. And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. 30. But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last." (Matthew 19:1-30, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"1. When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2. Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3. Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4. He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5. and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ 6. So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.” 7. They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?” 8. He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9. I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” 10. His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.” 11. But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. 12. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.” 13. Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14. But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” 15. He laid his hands on them, and departed from there. 16. Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” 17. He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18. He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ 19. ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20. The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 23. Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 25. When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26. Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27. Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” 28. Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. 30. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last." (Matthew 19:1-30, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"1. 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; 2. And 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? 4. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8. He 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. 9. And 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. 11. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12. For 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. 14. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15. And 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? 17. And 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. 18. He 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, 19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21. Jesus 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. 22. But 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. 24. And 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. 25. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26. But 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? 28. And 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. 29. And 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. 30. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 19:1-30, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"1. And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these words, he removed from Galilee, and did come to the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan, 2. and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3. And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, 'Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?' 4. And he answering said to them, 'Did ye not read, that He who made [them], from the beginning a male and a female made them, 5. and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall be, the two, for one flesh? 6. so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.' 7. They say to him, 'Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?' 8. He saith to them, 'Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9. 'And I say to you, that, whoever may put away his wife, if not for whoredom, and may marry another, doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away, doth commit adultery.' 10. His disciples say to him, 'If the case of the man with the woman is so, it is not good to marry.' 11. And he said to them, 'All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given; 12. for there are eunuchs who from the mother's womb were so born; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive [it], let him receive.' 13. Then were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them. 14. But Jesus said, 'Suffer the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the reign of the heavens;' 15. and having laid on them [his] hands, he departed thence. 16. And lo, one having come near, said to him, 'Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-during?' 17. And he said to him, 'Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good except One, God; but if thou dost will to enter into the life, keep the commands.' 18. He saith to him, 'What kind?' And Jesus said, 'Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, 19. honour thy father and mother, and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' 20. The young man saith to him, 'All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?' 21. Jesus said to him, 'If thou dost will to be perfect, go away, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.' 22. And the young man, having heard the word, went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions; 23. and Jesus said to his disciples, 'Verily I say to you, that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens; 24. and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.' 25. And his disciples having heard, were amazed exceedingly, saying, 'Who, then, is able to be saved?' 26. And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' 27. Then Peter answering said to him, 'Lo, we did leave all, and follow thee, what then shall we have?' 28. And Jesus said to them, 'Verily I say to you, that ye who did follow me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man may sit upon a throne of his glory, shall sit, ye also, upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel; 29. and every one who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for my name's sake, an hundredfold shall receive, and life age-during shall inherit; 30. and many first shall be last, and last first." (Matthew 19:1-30, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: Matthew (traditionally) the tax-collector-apostle / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: Jewish-Christian audience (heavy OT-fulfillment emphasis)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); possibly Antioch (composition)
  • Time period: events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80

Theological reading

Key words

Quoted in

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.