Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce Matthew 19: 1 - 12 Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (19: 3-6)

Background and Setting (vv. 1-2) When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. (19:1-2) East of the Jordan River is area called Perea His healing miracles attested to His divine, messianic credentials

The Attack (v. 3) Pharisees wanted to discredit Jesus Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (19:3) Pharisees wanted to discredit Jesus Divorce was a volatile issue among the Jews Divorce was common – women were treated like merchandise to be bought, sold, or traded Pharisees were supporters of easy divorce Taught divorce was not only permissible but sometimes mandatory

The Answer (vv. 4-6) Four reasons divorce is not in God’s plans “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (19:4-6) Four reasons divorce is not in God’s plans God made one male and one female – God did not make a group of males and females “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.” – “United” means a strong bonding together In marriage, “the two will become one flesh.” – Indivisible and inseparable, except through death In the creative sense, every marriage is made in heaven – “What God has joined together, let man not separate.”

The Argument (v. 7) Appealed to Moses for appearance of divine support “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” (19:7) Appealed to Moses for appearance of divine support Deuteronomy 24:1-4 does not command divorce, it only recognizes it The only command relates to remarriage, not divorce

The Affirmation (vv. 8-9) Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (18:8-9) Jesus affirmed that divorce was permitted under certain circumstances, i.e. marital unfaithfulness, but not required Example: Hosea married Gomer; but did not divorce her even after she was repeatedly unfaithful Divorce was not in God’s original plan for mankind “But it was not this way from the beginning” Illegitimate divorce followed by remarriage makes adulterers of everyone Divorce for any reason other than marital unfaithfulness is illegitimate

The Appropriation (vv. 10-12) The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and a wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (19:10-12) Disciples concluded if adultery is the only justification for divorce, it is better not to marry Marriage is a lifetime commitment that can be legitimately broken only by death or adultery Even adultery does not require divorce “For better or worse” was more than they could accept

The Appropriation (Continued) God instituted marriage as the epitome of pleasant, joyful, and fulfilling human relationships “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth, as a loving hind and a graceful doe.” (Proverbs 5:18-19) “House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:14) A Christian partner should be chosen carefully and with much prayer Jesus goes on to discuss a life of singleness A single life is not for everyone Those who, by God’s gift are able to accept a life of celibate singleness, should accept it as God’s will for them