New Testament Commentary - Matthew 19

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 19 Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce—Eternal life is for those who keep the commandments—The Twelve Apostles shall judge the house of Israel.
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.
God's Plan for Man and Marrige IF read and understood by the spirit, God's eternal plan for man and marriage can be found in the beginning verses of Matthew Chapter nineteen beginning with verse three. As is frequently the case, when asked one question the Lord will answer with the gospel information that yields the answers to many gospel questions. In the opening verses of chapter 19 he does just that when asked by the Pharises concerning 'putting away a wife' or divorce. That was a negative question asked in order to attempt Jesus in its many entrapments and snars upon numberous and various answers to which the Pharisees were expert in different avenues of attack against a person for what they might say concerning 'divorsement.'
3 ¶ The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to ^aput away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, *Have ye not read, that he which ^amade them* at the beginning made them male and female^a, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall ^acleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh^a? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath ^ajoined together, let not man ^bput asunder^a.** Jesus Masterfully States God Established Marriage Between Man and Woman Jesus answers the Pharsees' question on divorce by first teaching that Marriage is of God. God made them male and female for the cause that male shall leave father and morther and shall cleave to his wife and become one flesh with her. And then Jesus taught the commandment that what God hath established and joined together man is not to put asunder! That basically teaches God's plan for man in a nut shell and whatever works to destroy that patern is not to be. There was the answer to the question of divorce and much more. But Jesus then goes on to explain why Moses gave a possible law of divorce in the Law of Moses. That becomes a lesson on divorce based on God's Law of Marriage.	*4^a Have ye not read, that he [God] which made them* at the beginning made them male and female This answers many questions when one understands by the spirit. It solves the question of 'transgender' and why it is important training that partent should supply to their young children concerning proper gender identity. God made each of us either a male or a female. If for any reason we begin messing with that which God has made, it is working at cross purposes with God's purposes and plan for his children. A home needs a strong male image and a strong female image with which children may identify with for their own sakes and development along the lines that God has set out for them. Then is it further any wonder that God's great next commandment was for them to then so 'multiply' and fill the earth with child, the spirit child of God ordered and arranged to come down to earth to dwell after that order established by God? 5^a For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh So put by our Lord and Savior that God made them male and female 'for this cause' that 'man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife! Again if understanding by the spirit, it becomes clear that God made the male and female for the purpose to marry and become husband and wife. 6^a What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder** Now God hath made male and female and ordained that man and woman marry and come together as one. And as Jesus next teaches has been incorporated in many of the marriage ceremonies of faith. And that is, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder!" Sadly that is just what today's laws are doing, first by all the divorce laws granting divorces for any reason; and second by those falsely imaged laws of man that totally destroys Gods laws by granting the Satanic performances of same sex marriage, which God never intended to be so given lawfully in opposition to the great plan of the Almighty.	3^a GR divorce 4^a TG Man, Physical Creation of 5^a TG Family, Love within TG Marriage, Celestial 6^a TG Marriage ^b GR divide, separate Pharisees Entrapment The lessons learned from the Pharisees attempted ensnarement of Jesus in his word upon divorce may be appied to the conditions of today. When asked about 'divorce' Jesus started from the basic foundation of marriage itself as an essential part of God's Plan of Exaltation. And then after so establishing the very importance of marriage between a man and a woman, then and only then did Jesus turn to the evils of that which 'put asunder' that which has been established by God. In Jesus day and according to the question by the Pharisees, Jesus' answer centered upon the evils of so granting a 'divorce' against that which God had established as being marriage betwen a man and a woman. Likely in Jesus day, but also predominantly in our day there are many attacks against God's law of marriage between a man and a woman as being central to the Plan of God. Such attacks today include not only the post marriage divorce but also all such things that also work to destory marriage before it is entered into. Now these are many but here will be pointed out just a few main 'pre-emptive' strikes that Lucifer has contrived in his never ending attack on Gods Plan and in this case particularly marriage between a man and a woman. 1) Pornography. Pornography can destory the foundations of a solid marriage long before any marriage may take place. It is a seed often planted by Lucifer which he can latter raise up to later destory just about any marriage. And he often used it to that end. Even after a marriage it may enter in and begin to destory a loving marriage. And before and after marriage it may be used by him to distort God's plan and intentions for the male and female by corrupting the very proper course of nature, God's nature, as set out by God for the development of the male and female into a loving productive family. Even the very aspects of self abuse may enter into play and destory the marriage in many different ways. 2) Gender Corruptions. God created them male and female. In a sucessful family the children grow up with and are trained by the images and teaching of a strong father figure and a strong mother figure. Boy are trained and want to become like their father. Girls are trianed and want to become like their mothers. That is the ideal. Lucifer works hard against that ideal. He makes every attempt to convolude the proper associations that boys have with becoming a man and fathers, and girls have with becoming women and mothers. These gender corruptions deal with homosexuality and with transgender identities that have worked and been used by Lucifer to destory the God's Eternal Plan for his children. 3) Attacks on Marriage. There are many attacks on marriage. Some are pre-marriage and other are after the marriage. And even some have be directed directly at marriage. One of the attack that are pre-marriage is the concept of no marriage or just living together without marriage, which is against God's commandment. Those who become so entangled may never have a change for a successful marriage of any kind. The divorces after marriage was the topic of the Pharisees' question and the cause today are endless. But the attack today directly against God's marriage between a man and a woman is the most insidious of all. It is based in the perversions caused by pornography and that which is further deranged by the gender corruptions into homosexuality and even gender identity. God's plan is so establish here as give by Jesus. God created them male and female. God established one's biological gender which was to be totally adapted and conformed to. And then marriage was given by God to be a man cleaving to this wife in marriage. That is God established marriage to be between a man and a woman. Then God by the mouth of Jesus Christ stated, "What therefore God hath joined togehter, let not man put asunder! That is God's plan folks. Whatever else there may be IS NOT of God! It is of Lucifer.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a ^awriting of ^bdivorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the ^ahardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your ^bwives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for ^afornication, and shall marry another, committeth ^badultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
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 ^ahands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked ^bthem. 14 But Jesus said, ^aSuffer little ^bchildren, 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 ^aeternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none ^agood but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into ^blife, keep the ^ccommandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no ^amurder, Thou shalt not commit ^badultery, Thou shalt not ^csteal, Thou shalt not bear ^dfalse witness, 19 ^aHonour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt ^blove thy ^cneighbour 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 ^aperfect^a, go and sell that thou hast, and ^bgive to the ^cpoor, and thou shalt have ^dtreasure in heaven: and come and ^efollow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had ^agreat possessions.	21^a If thou wilt be perfect Perfection is to be found in following in forsaking the things of the world for that cause and purpose of heaven. And in that one follow in the footsteps of Christ in bring to past the immortality and eternal life of men. This is the great work of temple ordiances, of missionary work and of building the kingdom of God and heaven. placing it first above all else. In this we too might be as saviors on mount Zion and be those of the beautiful feet there of. And in this to some degree we may obtain perfection in and with God while still but men here below.
23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a ^arich man shall ^bhardly 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 ^arich 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 ^aBut Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are ^bpossible.
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 ^aregeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, ^bjudging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath ^aforsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my ^bname's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit ^ceverlasting life. 30 But many that are ^afirst shall be last; and the last shall be first.