Matthew 19:3-15

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Matthew 19:3-15

3Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
4Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’
5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.
9Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.”
10His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”
11“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
12For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
13Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
15And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
— Matthew 19:3-15

Related Resources from Heartlight

4 Ways 1
Illustration of Matthew 19:4-6 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 19:4-6 NLT -- Jesus answered, "Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, 'he made people male and female.' And God said, 'So a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.' So the two people are not two, but one. God joined those two people together. So no person should separate them."

Let them Come to Me!
Illustration of Matthew 19:13-15 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 19:13-15 NLT -- Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that Jesus could put his hands on them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people that are like these children." After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there.

Not So!
Illustration of Matthew 19:7-9 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 19:7-9 NLT -- The Pharisees asked, "So why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce?" Jesus answered, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God's teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. I tell you that any person that divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of the sin of adultery. The only reason for a person to divorce and marry again is if his first wife had sexual relations with another man."

The Gift
Illustration of Matthew 19:10-12 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 19:10-12 NLT -- The followers said to Jesus, "If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, then it is better not to marry." Jesus answered, "Not every person can accept this truth {about marriage}. But God has made some people able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to make children. Other men were made that way later in life by other people. And other men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. But the person that can {marry} should accept this teaching {about marriage}."

Come to Me
Illustration of Matthew 19:14

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 19:14 -- Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Jesus said, "Let the little...
Illustration of Matthew 19:14

Illustration of Matthew 19:14 -- Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Transition and Truth
Illustration of Matthew 19:3 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 19:3 NLT -- Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make Jesus say something wrong. They asked Jesus, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?"

Cross References for Matthew 19:3-15

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.