Matthew 5:31

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

{G1161} It hath been said {G4483}{G3754}, Whosoever {G3739}{G302} shall put away {G630} his {G846} wife {G1135}, let him give {G1325} her {G846} a writing of divorcement {G647}:

"It was said, `Whoever divorces his wife must give her a get.'

It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

In Matthew 5:31, Jesus continues His transformative teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, addressing the complex issue of divorce. This verse serves as a direct quotation or allusion to the common understanding and practice of the Mosaic Law regarding marital separation.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' series of "You have heard that it was said... But I say unto you" statements, where He reinterprets and deepens the understanding of the Old Testament law. Here, Jesus references the prevailing interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1, which permitted a man to divorce his wife by giving her a "bill of divorcement" if he found "some uncleanness" in her. This provision, while seemingly allowing divorce, was originally intended to protect women in a patriarchal society, ensuring they had legal documentation for remarriage and were not left destitute or accused of adultery without cause. It was a safeguard against arbitrary dismissal, ensuring a formal process.

Key Themes

  • Reinterpretation of the Law: Jesus begins to move beyond the mere letter of the law to reveal its underlying spirit and God's original, higher intent for marriage. He acknowledges the existing legal provision for divorce but prepares to challenge the casual or unrighteous application of it prevalent in His day.
  • The Practice of Divorce: The verse highlights that divorce was a recognized and regulated practice in ancient Israel, albeit one that was often abused, particularly by men seeking to discard their wives for trivial reasons.
  • Setting the Stage for Deeper Truth: This statement is a crucial setup for Jesus' more profound teaching on the sanctity and permanence of marriage, which He elaborates on in the very next verse, Matthew 5:32. It prepares listeners for a call to a higher standard of marital fidelity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "put away" translates the Greek word apolyo (ἀπολύω), which literally means "to release" or "send away," and was the standard term for divorce in the Hellenistic world. "A writing of divorcement" comes from the Greek biblion apostasiou (βιβλίον ἀποστασίου), directly mirroring the Hebrew sepher kerithuth (ספר כריתות) from Deuteronomy 24:1. This emphasizes the legal document required for a formal separation, which, as noted, served to legitimize the divorce and allow the woman to remarry, preventing her from being considered an adulteress if she did so.

Practical Application

Understanding Matthew 5:31 helps us appreciate the radical nature of Jesus' teaching on marriage. While the Mosaic Law provided for divorce, Jesus' subsequent teaching elevates the covenant of marriage to its original, divine standard, emphasizing its sanctity and permanence as established in Genesis 2:24. This verse reminds us that God's ideal for marriage is a lifelong union, and while the law accommodated human weakness, Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of faithfulness and commitment within the marital bond. This commentary also sets the stage for understanding later discussions on divorce, such as when the Pharisees questioned Jesus in Matthew 19:3-9, where He again points back to God's original design.

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.

  • Jeremiah 3:1

    ¶ They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 24:1

    ¶ When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.

  • Deuteronomy 24:4

    Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

  • Matthew 19:7

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

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Mark 10:9

    What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

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