Matthew 19:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?”

NIV: 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?'

NASB: Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?'

CSB: Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds? "

NLT: Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: 'Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?'

KJV: The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

NKJV: The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”

Jesus and His disciples are on the east side of the Jordan River, likely in the region of Perea. Large crowds have followed Him there, and He continues to heal those who come to Him. Some of the Pharisees have found Jesus there, as well. Their goal is to discredit Jesus before the people or to find some reason to accuse Him of heresy. They continue to come up with questions to test Him in this way.

These Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful, under the law of Moses, for a man to divorce his wife for "any cause." In other words, can a man divorce his wife just because he wants to?

Divorce is a sensitive topic in every era, and Jesus knows this is a trap. For one thing, John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod Antipas for challenging that ruler's divorce from his wife and remarriage to his brother's wife (Matthew 14:3–12). John was eventually executed not far from where Jesus was now. Talking about divorce in the context of Israel's rulers was clearly dangerous.

For another thing, the Pharisees drove public opinion on when and if divorce was lawful. Both leaders and the people were divided into two views. Both groups said it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife, but they disagreed on what grounds. One group insisted the wife must be guilty of significant indecency or immorality. The other group said only that the husband could divorce his wife if he was unhappy with her for any reason, at all. In this era, it would not have been considered lawful for Jewish wives to initiate a divorce under normal circumstances. The Pharisees were trying to get Jesus to choose a side in this religious and social debate.

Finally, the question was a trap for the same reason some pastors avoid the topic today: Many of those listening to Jesus were very likely divorced and remarried. Apparently, even many of the Pharisees themselves had been divorced, according to historians. Almost any answer would fail to sit well with at least some people.

Matthew 19:1–12 is Jesus' response to a question from Pharisees about divorce. After establishing that marriage was designed to be lifelong by God at creation, Jesus insists that divorce is unlawful except in the case of sexual immorality. The disciples suggest it would be better not to marry, at all, in that case. Jesus says that is not true, and a life of celibacy is only for certain people, such as eunuchs of various kinds.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.