Mark 10:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

NIV: And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.'

NASB: and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.'

CSB: Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

NLT: And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.'

KJV: And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

NKJV: And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

In the second century BC, Roman women were granted the right to divorce their husbands, but Jewish women still aren't allowed to today. This verse would mean that the woman left her husband without officially divorcing, and then married another man. Or Jesus could be referring to Gentile women, who comprised much of Mark's audience. A prominent example in that moment was Herodias. Herodias divorced her husband to marry his half-brother, Antipas, who rules over Galilee and Perea, where Jesus is now. It was Herodias who arranged to have John the Baptist killed after he condemned her marriage to Antipas (Mark 6:14–29).

Jesus' words in Matthew 5:32 are stronger. He says that if anyone divorces his wife for any reason other than adultery, he "makes her commit adultery." Women were not allowed to hold their own property. They were usually supported by their sons. If a man divorced his wife, he kept the children. Her survival might necessitate marrying again, but to do so would be to commit adultery.

Jesus' words here respond to a question the Pharisees posed to trap Him. He is condemning men who send away their wives for trivial reasons. He is not speaking to someone distraught by the possibility of a divorce, caught in an abusive marriage, or contemplating remarriage after a divorce. Getting married after being divorced for unbiblical grounds is adultery, but the new marriage is as sanctified by God as any other. Being remarried is not a state of sin. And Jesus says that anyone who looks at someone who is not their spouse has committed adultery (Matthew 5:28). There are very few in the world who are truly sexually pure.

Mark 10:1–12 carries profound implications for marriage and sexuality. In Jesus' time, a man could divorce his wife for the slightest offense. Jesus' asserts people have corrupted God's definition for marriage: that one man and one woman become unified by a covenant made before God. Jesus then says that if a man can't handle that kind of lifelong commitment, he shouldn't get married (Matthew 19:10–12). As usual, God's law protects the powerless: in this case, women. Today, Jesus' words do the same, rebuking those who choose to harden their hearts against their spouse for selfish reasons. An expanded version of this account is in Matthew 19:1–12, and Luke 16:18 contains a portion of it, as well.

In this passage, Jesus again confronts the Pharisees by clarifying God's views on marriage and divorce. He reminds the disciples not to dismiss the spiritual perspective of children. This chapter also records Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, who becomes an object lesson in why wealth makes it hard for people to rely on God. After this, Jesus deftly sets aside an arrogant request from James and John, and again predicts His impending death. Just prior to the triumphal entry of chapter 11, Jesus is sought out by Bartimaeus, whom He heals of blindness.

In between chapters 9 and 10, Jesus resumes His public teaching as He travels to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Luke 9:57—18:14; John 7—10). We meet Him here across the Jordan in Perea and follow as He makes His way west again to Jericho. This chapter surrounds a third prophecy of Jesus' death (Mark 10:32–34) with lessons on His value for those others often dismiss: women (Mark 10:1–12), the powerless (Mark 10:13–16), those who value God more than the world (Mark 10:17–31), servant-hearted leaders (Mark 10:35–45), and those with bold faith (Mark 10:46–52). Next is the triumphal entry and the beginning of Passion Week.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.