Matthew 19:3

¶ 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?

The Pharisees {G5330} also {G2532} came {G4334} unto him {G846}, tempting {G3985} him {G846}, and {G2532} saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Is it lawful {G1487}{G1832} for a man {G444} to put away {G630} his {G846} wife {G1135} for {G2596} every {G3956} cause {G156}?

Some P'rushim came and tried to trap him by asking, "Is it permitted for a man to divorce his wife on any ground whatever?"

Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Matthew 19:3 records a pivotal encounter where the religious leaders of the day challenged Jesus on a highly contentious issue: divorce. This verse sets the stage for one of Jesus' most significant teachings on marriage.

Context

The scene unfolds as the Pharisees, a prominent Jewish religious and political group, approach Jesus. Their intention, as indicated by the word "tempting" (Greek: peirazō, meaning to test, try, or tempt with hostile intent), was not to seek genuine understanding but to trap Him. They aimed to force Jesus into taking a side in a heated theological debate of the time regarding the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which permitted a man to divorce his wife for "some indecency."

There were two main rabbinical schools of thought: the strict School of Shammai, which allowed divorce only for sexual immorality, and the lenient School of Hillel, which permitted divorce for almost any reason, even trivial ones. By asking, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?", the Pharisees were trying to corner Jesus, hoping He would either contradict Moses or alienate Himself from a large segment of the population.

Key Themes

  • The Adversarial Nature of the Pharisees: This verse highlights the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment, who frequently sought to discredit or ensnare Him.
  • The Sanctity of Marriage: The question itself, though posed with ill intent, introduces the profound theme of marriage's divine institution and its intended permanence.
  • Interpretation of God's Law: The debate centers on how humans interpret and apply God's commands, often seeking loopholes rather than understanding the heart of the law.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "tempting" (Greek: peirazō) reveals the Pharisees' underlying motive: to test Jesus' allegiance to the Mosaic Law and His wisdom.
  • "Put away" (Greek: apolyo) is the common term for divorce, indicating the legal dismissal of a spouse.
  • "Every cause" points directly to the core of the rabbinical debate, emphasizing the stark contrast between the strict and lenient interpretations of the Mosaic divorce law.

Related Scriptures

Jesus' response to this question, detailed in the subsequent verses, powerfully redirects the conversation from human interpretations back to God's original design for marriage. He points back to creation, emphasizing the union of one man and one woman as "one flesh" (Matthew 19:4-6). This teaching contrasts sharply with the allowance for divorce in the Law due to the hardness of human hearts (Matthew 19:8). For another instance of Jesus' teaching on divorce, see Matthew 5:31-32.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a reminder that God's standards are often higher than human traditions or legalistic interpretations. It challenges us to look beyond the letter of the law to understand the spirit and intent behind God's commands. For believers today, it underscores the sacredness of the marriage covenant, urging commitment and perseverance rather than seeking easy exits for "every cause." It also warns against approaching God's Word with a desire to justify personal preferences or find loopholes, rather than with a humble heart seeking divine truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 10:2

    And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him.

  • Hebrews 3:9

    When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

  • Matthew 22:35

    Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,

  • Luke 11:53

    And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

  • Luke 11:54

    Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

  • John 8:6

    This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].

  • Mark 12:13

    ¶ And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in [his] words.

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