Jesus first spoke on divorce in Matthew 5:31-32. Here in Matthew 19:1-15, is another attempt to trick Jesus regarding marriage and divorce, with three appeals. First, an appeal to traditions

of the day—“Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” (v. 4) In Jesus’ day, there was debate of the teachings of rabbis Shammai and Hillel. The Shammaites permitted divorce only if a wife was guilty of sexual immorality. The Hillelites were liberal, allowing divorce for any reason, or no reason. Jesus’ emphasized God’s plan for marriage: “They are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (v. 6) “One flesh” declares marriage is more than the result of a decision to marry. It is a new unit created from the previous two; God did it, man is not to break it! Second, an appeal to authority of the law—“Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce?” (v. 7) The Pharisees misrepresented Deuteronomy. 24:1-4, which was not a command that Moses made but a limitation on remarriage. Divorce never has to be the end of a marriage problem: “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so … whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (vv. 8-9) Both here and in Matthew 5:32, Jesus includes this exception, permitting the innocent party in such a divorce to remarry. But if the divorce is not for sexual immorality on the other spouse’s part, remarriage is adultery. God’s people are about forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. Third, an appeal to desire of the flesh—“If such is the case … it is better not to marry.” (v. 10) The disciples’ reaction shows they understood the binding nature of marriage, that Jesus was setting a high standard.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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