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Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came to test Him. "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" they inquired.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came to test Him. "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" they inquired.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/10-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/41_Mrk_10_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 10:2 - Teachings about Divorce" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Some Pharisees came to test Him. 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tempting him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce <i>his</i> wife?” testing Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And <i>some</i> Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and <i>began</i> questioning Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce <i>his</i> wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And <i>some</i> Pharisees came up to Him, testing Him, and <i>began</i> to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And <i>some</i> Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and <i>began to</i> question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him [intending to trick Him into saying something wrong], and asked Him, “Is it lawful [according to Scripture] for a man to divorce his wife <i>and</i> send her away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. So they came up to him and asked if it was right for a man to divorce his wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him. "Tell us," they asked, "does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came to test Him. ?Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?? they inquired.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Presently a party of Pharisees come to Him with the question--seeking to entrap Him, "May a man divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Pharisees, having come near, questioned Him if it is lawful for a husband to put away a wife, tempting Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the Pharisees, having approached, were demanding of Him if it is lawful for a husband to divorce a wife, testing Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Pharisees, having come near, questioned him, if it is lawful for a husband to put away a wife, tempting him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the Pharisees having come near, asked him, if it is lawful for a man to loose his wife; tempting him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Pharisees coming to him asked him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And approaching, the Pharisees questioned him, testing him: “Is it lawful for a man to dismiss his wife?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Pharisees came up to him, tempting him and asking, Is it lawful for a man to desert his wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And Pharisees approached, tempting him, and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And the Pharisees came to him, and that they might tempt him, asked him the question: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the Pharisees having come forward asked Him, If it is lawful for a man to send away his wife? tempting Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And the Pharisees coming to him, put a question to him, Is it lawful for a husband to put away his wife? tempting him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />then the Pharisees came and propos'd to him this insnaring question, is it lawful for a man to repudiate his wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Presently a party of Pharisees come to Him with the question--seeking to entrap Him, "May a man divorce his wife?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And <i>the</i> Pharisees, corning to Him, were asking Him, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife!" tempting Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And the pharisees came to <i>Him</i> and asked Him, "if it were lawful for a man to put away his wife," tempting Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/10-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=3133" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/10.htm">Teachings about Divorce</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then Jesus left that place and went into the region of Judea, beyond the Jordan. Again the crowds came to Him and He taught them, as was His custom. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-NMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Some Pharisees</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: proselthontes (V-APA-NMP) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">to test</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1832.htm" title="1832: exestin (V-PIA-3S) -- It is permitted, lawful, possible. ">Is it lawful</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andri (N-DMS) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">for a man</a> <a href="/greek/630.htm" title="630: apolysai (V-ANA) -- From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.">to divorce</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">his wife?”</a> <a href="/greek/1905.htm" title="1905: epērōtōn (V-IIA-3P) -- To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.">they inquired.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">3</span>“What did Moses command you?” He replied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Matthew 19:3-9</a></span><br />Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” / Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a></span><br />If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a></span><br />Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a></span><br />It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-18.htm">Luke 16:18</a></span><br />Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-33</a></span><br />“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. / Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-16.htm">1 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a></span><br />So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm">Proverbs 5:18-19</a></span><br />May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.</p><p class="hdg">the Pharisees.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/8-15.htm">Mark 8:15</a></b></br> And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and <i>of</i> the leaven of Herod.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-34.htm">Matthew 9:34</a></b></br> But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-12.htm">Matthew 15:12</a></b></br> Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?</p><p class="hdg">Is it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Malachi 2:16</a></b></br> For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for <i>one</i> covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31,32</a></b></br> It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Matthew 19:3</a></b></br> 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?</p><p class="hdg">tempting.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11</a></b></br> And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1</a></b></br> The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-35.htm">Matthew 22:35</a></b></br> Then one of them, <i>which was</i> a lawyer, asked <i>him a question</i>, tempting him, and saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Entrap</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/mark/10-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/6-18.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/mark/9-12.htm">Order</a> <a href="/mark/9-14.htm">Party</a> <a href="/mark/8-15.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/mark/6-25.htm">Presently</a> <a href="/mark/9-33.htm">Question</a> <a href="/mark/9-21.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/mark/7-35.htm">Right</a> <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Test</a> <a href="/mark/1-13.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Trying</a> <a href="/mark/4-27.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">Entrap</a> <a href="/mark/10-12.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/mark/10-5.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/12-14.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/mark/10-17.htm">Order</a> <a href="/mark/12-18.htm">Party</a> <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/1-64.htm">Presently</a> <a href="/mark/11-29.htm">Question</a> <a href="/mark/10-10.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/mark/10-37.htm">Right</a> <a href="/mark/11-18.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/mark/12-15.htm">Test</a> <a href="/luke/4-2.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/mark/12-15.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/mark/12-15.htm">Trying</a> <a href="/mark/11-13.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-1.htm">Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-13.htm">blesses the children that are brought unto him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-17.htm">resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-23.htm">tells his disciples of the danger of riches;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-28.htm">promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-32.htm">foretells his death and resurrection;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-35.htm">bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/10-46.htm">and restores to Bartimaeus his sight.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 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data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Some Pharisees came to test Him.</b><br>The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judaism during the time of Jesus. Known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and oral traditions, they often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the law. Their approach was not one of genuine inquiry but rather an attempt to trap Jesus in a theological or legal error. This reflects a broader pattern in the Gospels where religious leaders challenge Jesus to undermine His authority (e.g., <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-18</a>). The setting is significant as it occurs in Judea, a region under Herod Antipas, where John the Baptist had been executed for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage, adding a layer of political tension to the question.<p><b>“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”</b><br>The question of divorce was a contentious issue among Jewish scholars. The Pharisees' inquiry likely refers to <a href="/deuteronomy/24.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a>, which discusses the conditions under which a man may divorce his wife. At the time, there were two main rabbinical schools of thought: the school of Shammai, which allowed divorce only for serious transgressions, and the school of Hillel, which permitted it for more trivial reasons. By asking this question, the Pharisees hoped to force Jesus to take a side, potentially alienating Him from one group or the other. This question also touches on the sanctity of marriage as instituted by God in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>, where marriage is depicted as a divine union. Jesus' response, which follows in the subsequent verses, emphasizes the original intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant, reflecting God's design and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is approached by the Pharisees to test Him. He is in the region of Judea, teaching the crowds.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a></b><br>A religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. They approach Jesus with a question about divorce, intending to test Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judea.htm">Judea</a></b><br>The region where Jesus is teaching at this time. It is significant as a place where Jesus often encountered religious leaders and taught the crowds.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_intent_of_the_law.htm">Understanding the Intent of the Law</a></b><br>Jesus highlights the importance of understanding the heart and intent behind God's laws, rather than merely following them as a checklist.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_marriage.htm">The Sanctity of Marriage</a></b><br>Jesus reaffirms the sanctity and permanence of marriage, pointing back to God's original design in creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_god's_wisdom.htm">Testing God’s Wisdom</a></b><br>The Pharisees' question was a test, reminding us to approach God with sincerity rather than trying to trap or test Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divorce_and_hardness_of_heart.htm">Divorce and Hardness of Heart</a></b><br>Jesus indicates that divorce was permitted due to the hardness of human hearts, challenging us to examine our own hearts in relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance_in_relationships.htm">Seeking God’s Guidance in Relationships</a></b><br>This passage encourages believers to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all relationships, especially marriage, to align with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/biblical_reasons_for_divorce.htm">What are the biblical grounds for divorce?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_remarriage_post-adultery_adultery.htm">Is remarriage after adultery considered adultery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_7_12-16_allow_divorce.htm">How does 1 Corinthians 7:12–16 reconcile with other biblical passages that permit divorce only for adultery? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_divorce.htm">What does the Bible say about divorce?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2-12) <span class= "bld">And the Pharisees came to him.</span>--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/19-3.htm" title="The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?">Matthew 19:3-12</a>. We are not surprised to find St. Mark omitting the "hard saying" about the eunuchs of <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm" title="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.">Matthew 19:12</a>. It was hardly likely, even if he knew it, to commend itself to him as adapted for the Gentile readers for whom he wrote his Gospel. Probably, however, for the reason thus given, it was not part of the current teaching of the Church, and was recorded by St. Matthew as something exceptional.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And there came unto him Pharisees</span> - the article should be omitted - <span class="cmt_word">and asked him</span> - they came forward before the people, and publicly questioned him - <span class="cmt_word">Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?</span> St. Matthew (<a href="/matthew/21-3.htm">Matthew 21:3</a>) adds to the question the words, "for every cause." There were causes for which it was lawful. They put this question to our Lord, <span class="cmt_word">tempting him</span>; of course with an evil intent. This question about divorce was one which was much agitated in the time of our Lord. In the century before Christ, a learned rabbi, named Hillel, a native of Babylon, who afterwards came to Jerusalem, studied the Law with great success, and became the head of the chief school in that city. One of his disciples, named Shammai, separated from his master, and set up another school; so that in the time of our Lord the scribes and doctors of the Law were ranged in two parties, namely, the followers of Hillel, the most influential; and the followers of Shammai. These two schools differed widely on the subject of divorce. The followers of Shammai only permitted divorce in the case of moral defilement, while the followers of Hillel placed the matter entirely in the power of the husband. The object, therefore, of this artful question was to entrap our Lord, and to bring him into collision with one or other of these two opposing parties. For if he had said that it was not lawful for a man to put away his wife, he would have exposed himself to the hostility of many of the wealthy classes, who put away their wives for any cause. But if he had allowed the lawfulness of divorce at all, they would have found fault with his doctrine as imperfect and carnal, although he professed to be a spiritual Teacher of a perfect system, sent down from heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/10-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[Some] Pharisees</span><br /><span class="grk">Φαρισαῖοι</span> <span class="translit">(Pharisaioi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="grk">προσελθόντες</span> <span class="translit">(proselthontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to test</span><br /><span class="grk">πειράζοντες</span> <span class="translit">(peirazontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτόν</span> <span class="translit">(auton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Is it lawful</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔξεστιν</span> <span class="translit">(exestin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1832.htm">Strong's 1832: </a> </span><span class="str2">It is permitted, lawful, possible. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a man</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνδρὶ</span> <span class="translit">(andri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to divorce</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπολῦσαι</span> <span class="translit">(apolysai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_630.htm">Strong's 630: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his wife?”</span><br /><span class="grk">γυναῖκα</span> <span class="translit">(gynaika)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> </span><span class="str2">A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they inquired.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπηρώτων</span> <span class="translit">(epērōtōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1905.htm">Strong's 1905: </a> </span><span class="str2">To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/10-2.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 10:2 Pharisees came to him testing him (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/10-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 10:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 10:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/10-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 10:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 10:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>