1When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River.
2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3Some Pharisees came to him, trying to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
4He answered, “Haven’t you read that in the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’
5and 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’?
6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being should separate.”
7They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a written notice of divorce and send her away?”
8He replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts were stubborn, but it was not this way from the beginning.
9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery; and the man who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”
10His disciples said to him, “If this is how things are between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
11But Jesus answered, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, only those who have been given the ability to do so."
12For some people are born unable to marry; others are made unable to marry by other people; and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can accept this teaching accept it."
13Then people brought young children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the followers told the people to stop.
14But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and don't stop them, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to people like these."
15He placed his hands on them and then left that place.
16Look, someone came to Jesus and asked, 'Good teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?'
17Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good. But if you want to enter into life, obey the commandments.'
18The man asked him, 'Which ones?' Jesus replied, 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not lie under oath.'
19'Honor your father and your mother.' Also, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
20The young man said to him, 'I have obeyed all these since I was a child. What else do I need?'
21Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.'
22But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was very wealthy.
23Jesus said to his followers, 'I tell you the truth, it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.'
24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God's Kingdom.'
25When the followers heard this, they were extremely surprised and asked, 'Then who can be saved?'
26Jesus looked at them and said, 'For humans, this is impossible, but for God, all things are possible.'
27Then Peter replied, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you. What will we get?'
28Jesus said to them, 'I promise you who have followed me that in the new world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'
29Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or land for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
30But many who are first now will be last then, and many who are last now will be first then.