Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Jesus had finished speaking these words, he left Galilee and traveled into the regions of Judea beyond the Jordan. Great crowds followed him, and there he healed them. The Pharisees also came to test him, asking if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason.

Jesus answered their question by saying, "Have you not read that at the beginning God made them male and female? He said, 'For this reason a man will leave father and mother and cleave to his wife.' Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no human being separate." They asked him in reply, "Why did Moses command us to give a written certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus said, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts; however, from the beginning it was not this way."

He added, "Whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced by her husband commits adultery." The disciples said to him, "If that is how it is with a man's wife, it's better not to marry." Jesus replied, "Not everyone can receive this teaching, but only those to whom it is given."

There are some who were born eunuchs and remain so from birth. Others became eunuchs through human actions. And then there are those who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this should accept it.

As Jesus was speaking, children were brought to him that he might place his hands on them and pray; but the disciples scolded the ones who brought them. Jesus said, "Let these little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." He placed his hands on them and then continued on from there.

One came to him and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? There is only one who is truly good, and that is God. But if you want to enter life, keep the commandments." He said, "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments since my youth. What else am I still lacking?" Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and then come follow me." When the young man heard Jesus' words, he went away sorrowful because he had many possessions.

Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "I tell you truly, it is difficult for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were amazed when they heard this and exclaimed, "Who then can be saved?"

Jesus replied, "With human beings it is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Then Peter spoke up, saying, "We have left everything to follow you. What will we get in return?" Jesus said, "In the new age, when the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, those who have followed me will also sit in judgment over the twelve tribes of Israel."

And he added, "Everyone who has forsaken houses, brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers, wives, children, or lands for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life." But many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.