Matthew – Chapter 19

New Testament30 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan." — so begins Matthew 19. The chapter centers on Moses and Peter. Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.

2And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them there.

3And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said:

5For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh.

6Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

7They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away?

8He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

10His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry.

11Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given.

12For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.

13Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.

14But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.

15And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.

16And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting?

17Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

20The young man saith to him: All these have I kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?

21Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

22And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions.

23Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

25And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered much, saying: Who then can be saved?

26And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible.

27Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?

28And Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29And every one that hath left house, 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 possess life everlasting.

30And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.

Important Verses in Matthew 19

And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.

Matthew 19:1

But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.

Matthew 19:14

Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Matthew 19:17

Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:23

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 19 of 28 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses and Peter, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea,…" The chapter ends with: "And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first. " Read against its original backdrop, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Matthew around About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2578). Here, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 19 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.

People in This Chapter

Moses2 mentionsPeter1 mention

Reflection for Today

The late section of Matthew—Chapter 19 of 28—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

According to Catholic teaching, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 854).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1265) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 19 about?

Matthew 19 contains 30 verses. It opens with "And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea,…" and closes with "And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 19?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 19?

This chapter mentions Moses, Peter.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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