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Matthew 19

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

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?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

What does Matthew 19:8 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 19:8 is spoken by Jesus in response to a question regarding the lawfulness of divorce.

In this verse, Jesus references Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and the concession he made which allowed men to divorce their wives.

Jesus explains that this allowance was made because of the "hardness" of the people's hearts, indicating that their stubbornness and unwillingness to live according to the original intention for marriage led Moses to permit divorce.

However, Jesus points out that this was not how things were meant to be "from the beginning," referring to the original design for marriage as a lifelong and unbreakable union between a man and a woman.

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Historical Context

The verse is part of a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees occurring in first-century Judea.

The Pharisees, seeking to test Jesus, ask him whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason.

This question is set against the backdrop of the Jewish law which permitted divorce, as outlined in Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

At the time, there was debate among different Jewish schools of thought, particularly between the followers of the rabbis Hillel and Shammai, over the interpretation of these laws and the acceptable grounds for divorce.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse emphasizes God's initial intention for marriage as an enduring relationship, highlighting the sanctity and indissolubility of the marital bond.

It criticizes the human tendency to deviate from divine statutes due to selfishness or moral failings.

There are differing viewpoints on this subject among various Christian denominations.

Some view this verse as supporting a very restrictive view on divorce and remarriage, while others interpret Jesus' statement as showing compassion for human weakness, favoring a more lenient approach.

Practical Applications

The teaching of this verse can be applied in several practical ways:

It encourages individuals to reflect on the seriousness of marital commitments and to work towards resolving conflicts rather than opting for divorce.
It challenges society to support marital relationships and provide resources for couples in distress.
It invites those considering marriage to deeply ponder the responsibilities and the lifetime dedication it entails.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 24:1-4: The Old Testament directive on divorce.
Mark 10:5-9: Mark's account of Jesus' teaching on divorce.
Malachi 2:16: God's displeasure for divorce.
Ephesians 5:31-32: Apostle Paul's description of marriage as a profound mystery reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11: Paul's instructions on marriage and divorce.

Language Study

Key words from the original Greek text of Matthew 19:8 include:

"Hardness" (σκληροκαρδία - sklērokardia): Refers to a state of obstinacy or stubbornness, an unyielding disposition of the heart towards God's will.
"Suffered" (ἐπέτρεψεν - epetrepsen): Allowed or permitted, sometimes in the sense of a concession rather than an endorsement.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient cultures and religions, marriage in Judaism was considered a sacred covenant, and laws surrounding divorce were more restrictive than in some neighboring societies where divorce could be more casual.

This verse echoes the distinction between the high ideal of marriage's permanence and the practical allowances that were made for human weaknesses seen in various religions and cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

While not directly related to science, this verse touches on psychological and sociological aspects of human behavior, such as the capacity for interpersonal commitment and the factors contributing to marital discord.

Contemporary studies on human relationships could shed light on the nature of the "hardness" mentioned by Jesus, exploring the psychological factors that lead to the breakdown of marriages.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 19:8 reflect a range of interpretations.

Some maintain that the verse underscores the inviolability of marriage, while others suggest it demonstrates Jesus's acknowledgement of human frailty.

Many agree that Jesus redirects the conversation from the legalistic perspective of the Pharisees to the more profound, divinely intended purpose of marriage.

Commentators further debate the implications of this verse for contemporary discussions on marriage, divorce, and remarriage within various Christian traditions.

Matthew 19

Matthew 19

What does Matthew 19:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 19:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?