Is It Okay to Divorce for Whatever Reason?
1When Jesus finished talking, he left the region of Galilee. He went down to Judea and crossed to the other side of the Jordan River. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed people there.3Some Pharisees came to test him with a trick question. [1] They asked, “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he wants to give?”
4Jesus said, “Haven’t you read that the one who created humans ‘made them as man and woman’? [2] It has been that way since the beginning, 5‘That’s why a man leaves his parents for a woman. The man and woman become part of each other. 6They are two people, yet one.’ [3] So they’re no longer just two people. They’re united as one. No human should break up what God put together.”
7The Pharisees asked, “Oh, is that so? Well, then, why did Moses order that it was okay for a man to give his wife a written note saying she was divorced and then send her on her way?”
8Jesus said, “Moses gave you that commandment because you people have a heart problem. Your heart’s too hard. But what you’re talking about is not how it was in the beginning. 9I’m telling you this, you commit adultery if you divorce your wife for any reason other than sexual immorality and then marry someone else.”
Jesus: “Stay Single If You Can”
10The disciples told Jesus, “Well if that’s the case, a man is better off not to get married.”11Jesus said, “Not everyone can live that way, though. 12Some men don’t get married because they were born impotent. Others have been castrated. [4] Others decide not to get married so they can give the kingdom of heaven their priority. [5] Anyone able to live this way should do it.”
Kids Own the Kingdom
13Some people brought their children to Jesus, so he could place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples stopped the people and criticized them. 14Jesus told his disciples, “Let those children come over here to me. Don’t try to stop them. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.” 15Jesus put his hands on them and then went on his way.Too Rich for the Kingdom
16A young man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good do I have to do to make sure I get to live forever?”17Jesus answered, “Why are you asking me about something good? There’s only One who is good. [6] If you want to live forever, obey him. Keep his commandments.”
18The man asked, “Which ones?”
Jesus answered, “Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t lie about others. 19Treat your mother and father honorably. Love your neighbor like you love yourself.” [7]
20The young man said, “I’ve kept all these laws. What else do I need to do?”
21Jesus told him, “If you want to get it perfectly right, go and sell everything you have. Then give the money to the poor. If you do that, you’ll have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me.”
22When the young man heard that, he turned and walked away, deeply disappointed. He had a lot of assets.
23Jesus told his disciples, “I’m telling you the truth, it’s incredibly hard for a rich person to make it into the kingdom of heaven. 24Let me say it this way. It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.”
25That statement astonished the disciples. [8] They said, “My goodness, if that’s true, who could possibly ever get saved?”
26Jesus looked right into the eyes of the disciples and said, “For humans, it’s impossible. But for God, everything is possible.”
Disciples in Charge in the Age to Come
27Peter said, “Look at us. We have left everything to follow you. What’s going to happen to us?”28Jesus told the disciples, “Here’s the truth. In the new age that’s coming, when the Son of Humans sits on his magnificent throne, [9] those of you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones. You’ll be in charge of the 12 tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left their home or brothers or sisters or father and mother or children or property out of devotion to me will receive 100 times more. And they will live forever.
30“But many people who were last and least in this world will be first and foremost in the world to come.”
