Christ declares matrimony to be indissoluble: he recommends the making
one's self an eunuch for the kingdom of heaven; and parting with all
things for him. He shews the danger of riches, and the reward of
leaving all to follow him.
19:1. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed
from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.
19:2. And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them there.
19:3. And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, saying: Is it
lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
19:4. Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made
man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said:
19:5. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh.
19:6. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
19:7. They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of
divorce, and to put away?
19:8. He 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.
19:9. And 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.
Except it be, etc. . .In the case of fornication, that is, of adultery,
the wife may be put away: but even then the husband cannot marry
another as long as the wife is living.
19:10. His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife
be so, it is not expedient to marry.
19:11. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom
it is given.
All men take not this word. . .That is, all receive not the gift of
living singly and chastely, unless they pray for the grace of God to
enable them to live so, and for some it may be necessary to that end to
fast as well as pray: and to those it is given from above.
19:12. For 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.
There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, for the kingdom of
heaven. . .This text is not to be taken in the literal sense; but means,
that there are such, who have taken a firm and commendable resolution
of leading a single and chaste life, in order to serve God in a more
perfect state than those who marry: as St. Paul clearly shews. 1 Cor.
7. 37, 38.
19:13. Then were little children presented to him, that he should
impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.
19:14. 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.
19:15. And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from
thence.
19:16. And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good
shall I do that I may have life everlasting?
19:17. Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is
good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
19:18. He 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.
19:19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.
19:20. The young man saith to him: All these have I kept from my youth,
what is yet wanting to me?
19:21. Jesus 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.
19:22. And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad:
for he had great possessions.
19:23. Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a
rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
19:24. And 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.
19:25. And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered much,
saying: Who then can be saved?
19:26. And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible:
but with God all things are possible.
19:27. Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all
things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?
19:28. And 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.
19:29. And 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.
19:30. And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be
first.