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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Why then,&#8221 they asked, &#8220did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />They say to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce and to send her away?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said to Him, “Why, then, did Moses command to GIVE <i>HER</i> A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They said to Him, &#8220Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND <i>her</i> AWAY?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND <i>her</i> AWAY?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The Pharisees said to Him, “Why then did Moses command us to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why then,&#8221 they asked Him, &#8220did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why did Moses say a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Pharisees asked him, "Why, then, did Moses order a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Pharisees asked him, "Why, then, did Moses give the law for a man to hand his wife a divorce notice and send her away?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They asked him, "Why, then, did Moses order us 'to give a certificate of divorce and divorce her'?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Why then,? they asked, ?did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce, and divorce her?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her 'a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They say to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />They say to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce and to send her away?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They say to him, 'Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They say to him, Why then did Moses charge to give a writing of divorce, and loose her?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They said to him, “Then why did Moses command him to give a bill of divorce, and to separate?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, Why then did Moses command to give a letter of separation and then divorce her?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/19.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />They were saying to him, “Why therefore did Moses command to give a writing of divorce and to send her away?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/19.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />They said to him: Why, then, did Moses command us to give a bill of divorce and put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/19.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />They say to Him, Then why did Moses command to give a book of divorcement, and to send her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/19.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give her a bill of divorce, and to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/19.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her 'a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/19.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />They say to Him, "Why, then, did Moses command to give <i>her</i> a bill of divorcement, and to put <i>her</i> away?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/19.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />They say unto Him, Why then did Moses order a bill of divorce to be given, and <i>so</i> to put her away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/19-7.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5409" 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/matthew/19.htm">Teachings about Divorce</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Why</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then,”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they asked,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- 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> <a href="/greek/3475.htm" title="3475: Mōusēs (N-NMS) -- Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.">“did Moses</a> <a href="/greek/1781.htm" title="1781: eneteilato (V-AIM-3S) -- To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). From en and the base of telos; to enjoin.">order a man</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dounai (V-ANA) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">to give his wife</a> <a href="/greek/975.htm" title="975: biblion (N-ANS) -- A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll.">a certificate</a> <a href="/greek/647.htm" title="647: apostasiou (N-GNS) -- Neuter of a adjective from a derivative of aphistemi; properly, something separative, i.e. divorce.">of divorce</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</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.">send her away?”</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- 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">8</span>Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.…<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="/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="/mark/10-4.htm">Mark 10:4</a></span><br />They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31</a></span><br />It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Malachi 2:16</a></span><br />“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/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8-9</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-5.htm">Mark 10:5-9</a></span><br />But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart. / However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31</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.”<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="/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="/matthew/5-32.htm">Matthew 5:32</a></span><br />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="/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="/genesis/5-2.htm">Genesis 5:2</a></span><br />Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorce, and to put her away?</p><p class="hdg">Why.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31</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="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a></b></br> 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 <i>it</i> in her hand, and send her out of his house… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/50-1.htm">Isaiah 50:1</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, Where <i>is</i> the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors <i>is it</i> to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.</p><p class="hdg">and to.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Matthew 1:19</a></b></br> Then Joseph her husband, being a just <i>man</i>, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.</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><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-8.htm">Bill</a> <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Certificate</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Divorcement</a> <a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/matthew/17-4.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/matthew/15-12.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/matthew/19-5.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Bill</a> <a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Certificate</a> <a href="/matthew/20-21.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Divorcement</a> <a href="/matthew/27-15.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/mark/7-24.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/matthew/20-18.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/matthew/19-11.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/matthew/27-37.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Jesus heals the sick;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">shows when marriage is necessary;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">receives the little children;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">and how to be perfect;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.</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 = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" 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/matthew/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Why then,” they asked,</b><br>This phrase indicates a question posed by the Pharisees, a group of Jewish religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. The context is a dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees, who often sought to test Him. The use of "Why then" suggests they are challenging Jesus' previous statements about marriage and divorce, attempting to find a contradiction or loophole in His teachings.<p><b>“did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”</b><br>The reference to Moses points to <a href="/deuteronomy/24.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a>, where Moses provided regulations concerning divorce. This was a concession due to the hardness of people's hearts, not an endorsement of divorce. The "certificate of divorce" was a legal document that allowed a woman to remarry, offering her some protection in a patriarchal society. The Pharisees' question reflects a common debate of the time regarding the grounds for divorce, with different rabbinical schools offering varying interpretations. This question also highlights the tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings.<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 responding to questions from the Pharisees about the lawfulness of divorce.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a></b><br>A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. They are questioning Jesus to test Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The great leader and lawgiver of Israel, who is referenced by the Pharisees in their question about divorce.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the Law was given, and whose history and customs are being discussed in this passage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_context_of_the_law.htm">Understanding the Context of the Law</a></b><br>The Pharisees reference Moses to justify divorce, but Jesus points back to God's original design for marriage, emphasizing permanence and unity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_hardness_of_heart.htm">The Hardness of Heart</a></b><br>Jesus attributes the allowance of divorce to the hardness of human hearts, indicating that it was a concession, not the ideal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_design_for_marriage.htm">God's Design for Marriage</a></b><br>Marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, reflecting God's faithfulness and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_understanding_god's_will.htm">The Role of Scripture in Understanding God's Will</a></b><br>Jesus uses Scripture to clarify God's intentions, demonstrating the importance of knowing and applying biblical truths in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_commitment.htm">The Importance of Commitment</a></b><br>In a culture where divorce is common, Christians are called to uphold the sanctity and commitment of marriage as a testimony to God's design.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_this_your_divorce_certificate.htm">Is this your official Certificate of Divorce?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_feelings.htm">Is this your official Certificate of Divorce?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_couple_remarry_after_divorce.htm">Can a couple remarry after divorce?</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/matthew/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">They say unto him.</span>--The question comes apparently from the advocates of the laxer school. They fell back from what would seem to them a vague abstract principle upon the letter of the Law. Was Moses, the great lawgiver, sanctioning what God had forbidden? Would the Prophet of Nazareth commit Himself to anything so bold as that?<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why did Moses then command?</span> If, as you assert, God ordained that marriage should be indissoluble, how comes it that Moses commanded (<span class="greek">ἐνετείλατο</span>) us to practise divorce, and prescribed rules as to its conduct? They are referring to <a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1, 2</a>. Jesus had escaped the trap which was laid for him, and foiled them by the very words of Scripture and the plain intention of the first institution. But they see their way to opposing the authority of the great lawgiver to the dictum and interpretation of this new Teacher. It cannot be supposed, they argue, that Moses would enjoin a practice condemned by the Word of God; therefore, if you abide by your exposition, you contradict Moses. <span class="cmt_word">A writing of divorcement.</span> The man who desired to divorce his wife could not effect this separation by mere word of mouth or by violent ejectment; he must have a written document formally prepared and witnessed, necessitating certain delay and publicity. In regulating the method of divorce and giving rules which prevented it from being undertaken rashly and lightly, Moses could not justly be said to have <span class="accented">commanded</span> it. There were also two cases in which he absolutely forbade divorce (see <a href="/deuteronomy/22-13.htm">Deuteronomy 22:13-19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/22-28.htm">Deuteronomy 22:28, 29</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/19-7.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">“Why</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then,”</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they asked,</span><br /><span class="grk">Λέγουσιν</span> <span class="translit">(Legousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“{did} Moses</span><br /><span class="grk">Μωϋσῆς</span> <span class="translit">(Mōusēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3475.htm">Strong's 3475: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">order [a man]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐνετείλατο</span> <span class="translit">(eneteilato)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1781.htm">Strong's 1781: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). From en and the base of telos; to enjoin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to give [his wife]</span><br /><span class="grk">δοῦναι</span> <span class="translit">(dounai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> </span><span class="str2">To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a certificate</span><br /><span class="grk">βιβλίον</span> <span class="translit">(biblion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_975.htm">Strong's 975: </a> </span><span class="str2">A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of divorce</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποστασίου</span> <span class="translit">(apostasiou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_647.htm">Strong's 647: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of a adjective from a derivative of aphistemi; properly, something separative, i.e. divorce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">send [her] away?”</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/19-7.htm">Matthew 19:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/19-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 19:7 They asked him Why then did Moses (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/19-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 19:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/19-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 19:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:8" /></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>