Matthew 19 | Devotional - Bible Reading and Prayer - One Chapter a Day

Matthew Chapter 19 | Best devotional materials, including: introduction, background, main content, Bible reading and prayer video, Scripture, and post-reading prayer to help you gain a deeper understanding of biblical truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to our One Chapter per day Bible reading time. 

By God’s grace, today we will read Matthew chapter 19.
In this chapter, Jesus teaches about the sacredness of marriage, the cost of discipleship, and the call to childlike faith. He reminds the Pharisees that God’s original design for marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. He blesses little children, showing that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those with humble, trusting hearts. Then, in His conversation with the rich young ruler, Jesus reveals that eternal life is not earned by human effort or wealth, but through wholehearted surrender to God.

This chapter challenges us to value what God values—faithfulness in relationships, humility in spirit, and a heart that treasures God above all else. Let us listen with reverence and gratitude to God’s Word together.

Matthew Chapter 19 Introduction:

Matthew chapter 19 focuses on Jesus’ teachings about marriage, divorce, humility, wealth, and discipleship. Through His interactions and responses, Jesus reveals the heart of God’s design for relationships, the true meaning of commitment, and the cost of following Him. This chapter challenges believers to examine their values in light of the kingdom of heaven and to place complete trust in God rather than worldly possessions or human traditions.

Main Content of Matthew Chapter 19:

1. Jesus Teaches About Marriage and Divorce (verses 1–12)
When the Pharisees test Jesus with questions about divorce, He points them back to God’s original design in creation: “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Jesus emphasizes that marriage is a sacred covenant, not a temporary contract. He teaches that divorce was permitted because of human hardness of heart, but it was never God’s intention. His words reaffirm the sanctity of marriage and call for purity, faithfulness, and forgiveness within it.

2. Jesus Blesses the Little Children (verses 13–15)
When people bring little children to Jesus for His blessing, the disciples try to turn them away. But Jesus responds, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This moment highlights the childlike humility, innocence, and faith that are essential for entering God’s kingdom.

3. The Rich Young Ruler (verses 16–22)
A rich young man approaches Jesus, asking what good thing he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus invites him to keep the commandments, and when the man insists he has, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. The young man leaves sorrowful, revealing how wealth and attachment to earthly things can hinder true discipleship.

4. The Reward of Following Jesus (verses 23–30)
Jesus then teaches His disciples that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven—not because wealth itself is evil, but because trust in riches can replace trust in God. He declares, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Peter asks what reward awaits those who have left everything to follow Him, and Jesus assures them that they will receive both eternal life and blessings in the age to come, though many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Spiritual Significance of Matthew Chapter 19:

Matthew 19 reminds us that the way of the kingdom is marked by humility, surrender, and faith. God values faithful relationships, pure hearts, and total devotion to Him above all else. Jesus’ call to the rich young ruler is a call to every believer—to let go of anything that competes with our love for God. True discipleship means trusting fully in Christ, even when it requires sacrifice.

Through Matthew chapter 19, we are reminded that life in God’s kingdom is not about earthly success or possessions, but about wholehearted devotion to Christ. May this chapter inspire us to walk faithfully in His truth, value what God values, and find our ultimate treasure in Him alone.

Matthew Chapter 19 YouTube Bible Reading and Prayer Video:

Divorce

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and 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’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

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.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.