Teaching about Divorce (Matthew 19:1-12)

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Matthew 19:1-12 recounts Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, emphasizing the sacredness of marital bonds and the importance of upholding the original intent of God's design for marriage.

The passage begins with the Pharisees testing Jesus by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Jesus responds by referring to the creation account in Genesis, reminding them that God made male and female, and that a man should leave his parents and be joined to his wife, becoming one flesh (Matthew 19:4-6). Jesus emphasizes that what God has joined together, no human should separate.

The Pharisees then inquire why Moses permitted divorce through a written certificate. Jesus explains that Moses allowed it because of the hardness of their hearts, but from the beginning, it was not so (Matthew 19:7-8). He goes on to state that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).

The disciples, surprised by Jesus' strict stance on divorce, suggest that it might be better not to marry at all. Jesus acknowledges that not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it has been given (Matthew 19:11). He then discusses the concept of eunuchs—those who have chosen to live a celibate life for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:12).

The theological message of Matthew 19:1-12 highlights the sanctity of marriage and the importance of upholding God's original design for it as a lifelong, unbreakable union. Jesus' teachings challenge the cultural norms of his time by emphasizing the seriousness of the marital covenant and limiting the grounds for divorce.

The passage's significance lies in its affirmation of the value and sacredness of marriage and its call for believers to prioritize the kingdom of heaven in their relationships. Jesus' teachings on marriage and celibacy encourage followers to remain committed and faithful, reflecting the divine love and faithfulness that characterize God's relationship with His people.

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Biblical text

19:1Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν Ἰησοῦς τοὺς λόγους τούτους, μετῆρεν ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὰ ὅρια τῆς Ἰουδαίας πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου.2καὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί, καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ.3Καὶ προσῆλθον αὐτῷ Φαρισαῖοι πειράζοντες αὐτὸν καὶ λέγοντες Εἰ ἔξεστιν ἀπολῦσαι τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ κατὰ πᾶσαν αἰτίαν;4 δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν Οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ὅτι κτίσας ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς5καὶ εἶπεν Ἕνεκα τούτου καταλείψει ἄνθρωπος τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα καὶ κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν;6ὥστε οὐκέτι εἰσὶν δύο ἀλλὰ σὰρξ μία. οὖν Θεὸς συνέζευξεν, ἄνθρωπος μὴ χωριζέτω.7λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Τί οὖν Μωϋσῆς ἐνετείλατο δοῦναι βιβλίον ἀποστασίου καὶ ἀπολῦσαι;8λέγει αὐτοῖς Ὅτι Μωϋσῆς πρὸς τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν ἐπέτρεψεν ὑμῖν ἀπολῦσαι τὰς γυναῖκας ὑμῶν· ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς δὲ οὐ γέγονεν οὕτως.9λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι ὃς ἂν ἀπολύσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ μὴ ἐπὶ πορνείᾳ καὶ γαμήσῃ ἄλλην, μοιχᾶται.10λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταί Εἰ οὕτως ἐστὶν αἰτία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μετὰ τῆς γυναικός, οὐ συμφέρει γαμῆσαι.11 δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Οὐ πάντες χωροῦσιν τὸν λόγον τοῦτον ἀλλ’ οἷς δέδοται.12εἰσὶν γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτως, καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. δυνάμενος χωρεῖν χωρείτω.