translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: MAT

label: NET study note

text: The question of the Pharisees was anything but sincere; they were asking it to test him . Jesus was now in the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas (i.e., Judea and beyond the Jordan) and it is likely that the Pharisees were hoping he might answer the question of divorce in a way similar to John the Baptist and so suffer the same fate as John, i.e., death at the hands of Herod (cf. 14:1-12 ). Jesus answered the question not on the basis of rabbinic custom and the debate over Deut 24:1 , but rather from the account of creation and God’s original design.


text: A quotation from Gen 1:27; 5:2 .


text: A quotation from Gen 2:24 .


text: includes the word in brackets, indicating reservations regarding its authenticity. A quotation from Deut 24:1 . The Pharisees were all in agreement that the OT permitted a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce his wife (not vice-versa) and that remarriage was therefore sanctioned. But the two rabbinic schools of Shammai and Hillel differed on the grounds for divorce. Shammai was much stricter than Hillel and permitted divorce only in the case of sexual immorality. Hillel permitted divorce for almost any reason (cf. the Mishnah, m. Gittin 9.10).


text: The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.


text: A quotation from Exod 20:12-16 ; Deut 5:16-20 .


text: A quotation from Lev 19:18 .


text: The call for sacrifice comes with a promise of eternal reward: You will have treasure in heaven . Jesus’ call is a test to see how responsive the man is to God’s direction through him. Will he walk the path God’s agent calls him to walk? For a rich person who got it right, see Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 .


text: The eye of a needle refers to a sewing needle. (The gate in Jerusalem known as “The Needle’s Eye” was built during the middle ages and was not in existence in Jesus’ day.) Jesus was saying rhetorically that it is impossible for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, unless God (v. 26 ) intervenes.


text: The assumption is that the rich are blessed, so if they risk exclusion, who is left to be saved ?


text: Peter wants reassurance that the disciples’ response and sacrifice have been noticed.


text: The Greek term translated the age when all things are renewed ( παλιγγενεσία , palingenesia ) is understood as a reference to the Messianic age, the time when all things are renewed and restored (cf. Rev 21:5 ).


text: The statement you…will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel looks at the future authority the Twelve will have when Jesus returns. They will share in Israel’s judgment.


text: Jesus reassures his disciples with a promise that (1) much benefit in this life ( a hundred times as much ) and (2) eternal life will be given.