Favor · the best way to learn the Bible
Matthew 19 Bible study: With God all things are possible
When Peter says, "we have left everything and followed you" (19:27), his two verbs are the two Matthew used of Simon and Andrew by the sea of Galilee: "They immediately left their nets and followed him" (4:20). In the Greek they are the same verbs, and Thayer lists the two verses together.
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
“Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Try it · Did you catch it?
“In Matthew 19:13, little children were brought to Jesus that he should lay his hands on them and pray.”
Is that in Matthew 19, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
"Haven’t you read"
"When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan." (19:1) (tap departed). There "Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”" (19:3) (tap reason). Jesus answers with a question of his own: "Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female" (19:4) (tap beginning). He goes on with the words of Genesis 2:24 (19:5), and then, "So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart." (19:6). Favor's Mark 10 teaches these words in Mark's telling, and Favor's Genesis 2 sets them beside its own verse, so these notes don't teach them again. Here is what almost everyone misses: in Matthew, Jesus asks those he is speaking with whether they have read, six times, and this is the third. He asked the Pharisees about David and about the priests in the temple: "Haven’t you read what David did" (12:3), and "have you not read in the law" (12:5). He will ask again: "Did you never read" (21:16), "Did you never read in the Scriptures" (21:42), and "haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God" (22:31). These notes set them side by side and add no comment.
Where the Old Testament leads here
The twelve tribes
Genesis 30:24leads toMatthew 19:28
With Joseph (30:24), Jacob has eleven sons; Benjamin is born later (35:18), and then "the sons of Jacob were twelve" (35:22). Genesis calls them "the twelve tribes of Israel" (49:28). Jesus told those who had followed him that they "will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28).
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Matthew 19
That was a taste
The rest of Matthew 19 is waiting in Favor
- "If this is the case"
- "If you want"
- Left everything, and followed
- Jesus's words on divorce, beside Mark 10
- Beside Mark and Luke
- 19 questions as you read
- 11 more Greek words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Matthew 19 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Greek word behind it
αἰτίαaitiasay ahee-TEE-ah
Strong's: "a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter)". Thayer: "cause, reason", and he lists 19:3 under it. The Pharisees asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" (19:3). The disciples' words to Jesus have the same word, which the WEB gives as case: "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." (19:10). In this chapter the Greek has it in these two verses only (counted in RP2018, the Byzantine text the WEB translates). Mark's telling of the Pharisees' question has no such word (Mark 10:2).
For your group
Matthew 19 Bible study questions
- 1Jesus answered a hard question with "Haven’t you read" (19:4). When you meet a hard question, how often do you go back to what the Bible says, and what helps you do it?
- 2Little children were brought to Jesus, and "the disciples rebuked them" (19:13), but Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me" (19:14). Who might feel kept away from Jesus, and how could you help them come to him?
- 3The disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?" (19:25). Jesus, looking at them, answered, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (19:26). What stands out to you in his answer?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Matthew 19 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
Start a Bible studyThe best way to learn the Bible
Favor opens up every chapter as you read.
Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.
Every chapter explains itself
As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.
The Hebrew and Greek behind it
Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.
Every page leads to Jesus
Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.
Better together
Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.
- 1
Start your free week
Sign up in a minute with your email.
- 2
Read a few minutes a day
Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.
- 3
Bring your people, if you like
Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
How much does it cost?
Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.
Can I read Matthew 19 straight away?
Matthew is open from your first day, and its chapters open one after another, so you'll reach Matthew 19 with everything before it in view. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
Start with Matthew 19
The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.
There's a seat for you at the table.
Start your free weekFirst week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home