Section 19:1–12
Jesus taught about divorce and marriage
In this section, Jesus led his disciples out of Galilee and passed through the land of Perea on his way to Jerusalem. While in Perea, some Pharisees came to him and asked him a question about divorce. They hoped that he would say something that they thought was wrong so that they could shame him. But Jesus taught about divorce based on Scripture. (This section has more information about divorce than 5:31–32.)
Jesus also taught that believers may choose not to marry so that they can fully devote themselves to serving God. Jesus and Paul are examples of this way of living.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Teaching about divorce
-or-
Concerning divorce and not marrying
-or-
A Discussion About Divorce and Celibacy (God’s Word)
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 10:1–12 and Luke 16:18.
Paragraph 19:1–2
19:1a
When Jesus had finished saying these things: This is a time clause. It indicates that the previous part of Matthew’s story ended, and a new section of the story begins.
The Berean Standard Bible begins this section with the word When. You should follow the ordinary way in your language to begin a new section of a story.
The phrase these things refers to the parables and other things that Jesus said in chapter 18.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
When Jesus finished saying these things (Good News Translation)
-or-
When Jesus finished teaching (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
When Jesus finished teaching these things
19:1b
He left Galilee: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as left means that Jesus “departed” or “exited” the land of Galilee. For example:
he went away from Galilee (English Standard Version)
It is implied that Jesus’ disciples went with him, because they are with him in 19:10. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit here. For example:
he left Galilee ⌊with the disciples⌋
-or-
he left Galilee ⌊and the disciples went along⌋
Galilee: The word Galilee refers to the district of Galilee. Here is does not refer to the Sea of Galilee. It was a region north of Samaria and west of the Sea of Galilee. (See the map below.)
Here is another way to translate this word:
⌊the land of⌋ Galilee
19:1c
went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beyond the Jordan is more literally “on the other side of the Jordan.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:
(1) It refers to land on the west side of the Jordan River. This is where the land of Judea is located.
(most commentaries)
(2) It refers to land on the east side of the Jordan River. Many Jews lived on the east side of the Jordan River, and some people probably referred to this area as also part of Judea. For example:
and went to the part of Judea that is east of the Jordan River (Contemporary English Version)
(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004)) Most English versions are ambiguous, and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. If possible, you should also translate this phrase simply as “on the other side of the Jordan” and not specify which side. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you choose interpretation (1). Most commentaries follow this interpretation.
Here are some other ways to translate 19:1c:
he entered the land of Judea from the other side of the Jordan River
-or-
and traveled along the other side of the Jordan River to the territory of Judea (God’s Word)
-or-
he crossed the Jordan River and entered the land of Judea
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