Matthew 19:19 - The Rich Young Man
Honor your father and mother
This commandment is rooted in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16), emphasizing the importance of family structure and respect within the household. In ancient Jewish culture, honoring one's parents was not only a moral obligation but also a societal expectation, ensuring the stability and continuity of the family unit. This commandment is unique among the Ten Commandments as it comes with a promise of long life and prosperity in the land God gives (Ephesians 6:2-3). The respect for parental authority reflects the broader biblical theme of submission to God-ordained authority, which is echoed in various New Testament passages (Colossians 3:20). Jesus reiterates this commandment, underscoring its continued relevance in His teachings.
And love your neighbor as yourself.
This phrase is a direct reference to Leviticus 19:18 and is central to Jesus' teaching on the law. It encapsulates the ethical demands of the law, emphasizing love as the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:9-10). In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, "neighbor" was often understood to mean fellow Israelites, but Jesus expands this definition in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), illustrating that love should extend beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. This commandment is foundational to Christian ethics, as it calls for selfless love and empathy, reflecting the character of Christ Himself. The principle of loving one's neighbor is also seen as a reflection of the love God shows to humanity, and it is a call to imitate that divine love in human relationships.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing a rich young man who inquires about eternal life.
2. Rich Young Man
A seeker of eternal life who approaches Jesus with questions about righteousness.
3. Disciples
Present during this interaction, they later question Jesus about the difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven.
4. Parents (Father and Mother)
Representing the family unit, they are to be honored as per the commandment.
5. Neighbor
Symbolizes all other people with whom one interacts, emphasizing the broader community.
Teaching Points
The Dual Commandment
Jesus combines two commandments, emphasizing the importance of both family and community relationships in the life of a believer.
The Heart of the Law
These commandments encapsulate the essence of the Law, focusing on love and respect as foundational to righteous living.
Practical Honor
Honoring parents involves respect, care, and obedience, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will.
Neighborly Love
Loving your neighbor requires active compassion, empathy, and service, mirroring Christ's love for us.
Holistic Righteousness
True righteousness is not just about personal piety but extends to how we treat others, both within our family and in the broader community.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 19Is the concept of a heavenly mother biblical?What are the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics?What are the Bible's teachings on marriage?In Micah 7:6, families betray each other—how does this square with other biblical commands to honor and love one’s family?
Verse 19. - Honour, etc. Lange considers that in this verse we have a summary of the two tables, "Honour thy father and mother," summing up the commandments of the first; and "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," those of the second (Leviticus 19:18). Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. St. Mark and St. Luke omit this clause; the latter adds, "Defraud not." According to our text, Christ gives four negative and two positive commands: the last being a summary taken from Leviticus 19:18 (comp. Romans 13:9, 10; Galatians 5:14). It has been questioned why our Lord omits the tenth commandment (as we call it) from the catalogue. Virtually he introduces it in ver. 21; but he may have refrained from formally mentioning it because covetousness was the ruler's besetting sin, and the marked omission of this precept might force the man to reflect upon this failing, which would wreck his spiritual life. On the other hand, it may be that Christ is not intending to give an epitome of man's duty; but affording merely an outline of the same, he naturally passes over some portion without special mention. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
honor
Τίμα (Tima)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5091: From timios; to prize, i.e. Fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.
[your]
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
father
πατέρα (patera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
mother,
μητέρα (mētera)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384: A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
love
Ἀγαπήσεις (Agapēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.
your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
neighbor
πλησίον (plēsion)
Adverb
Strong's 4139: Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.
as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.
yourself.’”
σεαυτόν (seauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572: Of yourself.
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Matthew 19:19 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Matthew 19:19 Honor your father and mother (Matt. Mat Mt)