Moses said
Is it legal to…
In Matthew 19:1-12, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce when Pharisees question Him about its lawfulness. Jesus explains that God's original intention for marriage was for it to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman, joined together so that they become "one flesh." He emphasizes that what God has joined together, no one should separate. Jesus points out that Moses permitted divorce not because it was God's ideal plan, but because of the hardness of people's hearts, offering a concession to address human sinfulness. However, Jesus clarifies that except in cases of sexual immorality, divorce and remarriage constitute breaking God's design for marriage.
This teaching highlights the seriousness and sacredness of the marital covenant according to God's purpose, while also acknowledging human brokenness that led to allowances like divorce under Mosaic Law. Jesus calls His followers to uphold God's original design and commitment in marriage, reflecting the deep union and faithfulness God desires between husband and wife.
(ai summarized)
“Now when Jesus finished these sayings, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan River. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
Then some Pharisees came to him in order to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful to divorce a wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but from the beginning it was not this way. Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” The disciples said to him, “If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!” He said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given. For there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth, and some who were made eunuchs by others, and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.””