Matthew 19
The Judean ministry section opens with the Pharisees' divorce question, which Jesus refers back to creation (the two shall become one flesh) and identifies Moses' divorce permission as a concession to hardness of heart rather than the original design. The disciples' alarmed response (if this is the case it is better not to marry) receives the reply about those who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom — a teaching about voluntary celibacy for the kingdom's sake. The children brought to Jesus despite the disciples' objections receive his blessing and the teaching that the kingdom belongs to such as these. The rich young man's question about inheriting eternal life leads to the commandments recitation, his claim to have kept them all, Jesus' look of love, and the instruction to sell everything and give to the poor — which the man refuses and goes away grieving because he had great wealth. The camel through the eye of a needle and the disciples' astonished question (who then can be saved?) receive the answer: with people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Peter's question about the disciples' reward receives the regeneration promise and the great reversal: many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.