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<!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>Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/19-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/40_Mat_19_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 19:8 - Teachings about Divorce" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus replied, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/19-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/19-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/19-7.htm" title="Matthew 19:7">◄</a> Matthew 19:8 <a href="/matthew/19-9.htm" title="Matthew 19:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/matthew/19.htm">New International Version</a> Jesus replied, &#8220Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/nlt/matthew/19.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. <a href="/esv/matthew/19.htm">English Standard Version</a> He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He says to them, "In view of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives; but it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/kjv/matthew/19.htm">King James Bible</a> He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/19.htm">New King James Version</a> He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. <a href="/nasb/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said to them, &#8220Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a> He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. <a href="/lsb/matthew/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. <a href="/amp/matthew/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said to them, “Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. <a href="/csb/matthew/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He told them, &#8220Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts. But it was not like that from the beginning. <a href="/asv/matthew/19.htm">American Standard Version</a> He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. <a href="/cev/matthew/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus replied, "You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way. <a href="/erv/matthew/19.htm">English Revised Version</a> He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. <a href="/gwt/matthew/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus answered them, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you're heartless. It was never this way in the beginning. <a href="/gnt/matthew/19.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "Moses gave you permission to divorce your wives because you are so hard to teach. But it was not like that at the time of creation. <a href="/isv/matthew/19.htm">International Standard Version</a> He told them, "It was because of your hardness of heart that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. But from the beginning it was not this way. <a href="/msb/matthew/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, ?Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/net/matthew/19.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but from the beginning it was not this way. <a href="/nheb/matthew/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. <a href="/wbt/matthew/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> He saith to them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning. <a href="/web/matthew/19.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He says to them, “Moses for your stiffness of heart permitted you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. <a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He says to them, "In view of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives; but it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/ylt/matthew/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> He saith to them -- 'Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so. <a href="/slt/matthew/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> He says to them that Moses for your hard heart permitted you to loose your wives: and from the beginning it was not so.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He said to them: “Although Moses permitted you to separate from your wives, due to the hardness of your heart, it was not that way from the beginning. <a href="/nabre/matthew/19.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He said to them, Moses, considering the hardness of your heart, gave you permission to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/19.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> He said to them, “Moses, confronting the callousness of your heart, let you divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/19.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He said to them: Moses, on account of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. <a href="/godbey/matthew/19.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> He says to them, <FR>Moses on account of the hardness of your heart permitted you to send away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/19.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> He saith unto them, It was on account of the hardness of your hearts that Moses gave you permission to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not thus. <a href="/mace/matthew/19.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he answer'd them, 'twas because of your perverse temper that Moses suffered you to repudiate your wives: but from the beginning this was not in practice. <a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning. <a href="/worrell/matthew/19.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> He saith to them, <FR>"Moses, in view of the hardness of your heart, permitted you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it has not been so.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/19.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> He answered them, <FR>Moses because of your hardheartedness, permitted you to put away your wives; but it was not so from the beginning:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/19-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5417" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Teachings about Divorce</a> …7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8<a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">Jesus replied,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- 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/3754.htm" title="3754: Hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></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.">“Moses</a> <a href="/greek/2010.htm" title="2010: epetrepsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow.">permitted</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</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/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaikas (N-AFP) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">wives</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">because of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4641.htm" title="4641: sklērokardian (N-AFS) -- Feminine of a compound of skleros and kardia; hard-heartedness, i.e., destitution of perception.">hardness of heart;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegonen (V-RIA-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">it was</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">this way</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/746.htm" title="746: archēs (N-GFS) -- From archomai; a commencement, or chief.">the beginning.</a> 9Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a> 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, ... <a href="/mark/10-5.htm">Mark 10:5-9</a> 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, ... <a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a> 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. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a> 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. <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-33</a> “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. <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a> So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a> 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. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-16.htm">1 Corinthians 6:16</a> 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.” <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a> 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. <a href="/luke/16-18.htm">Luke 16:18</a> Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-3</a> Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. / They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-7</a> Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ... <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a> Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>He said to them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.because.<a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8</a> Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:<a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Zechariah 7:12</a> Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.<a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Malachi 2:13,14</a> And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand… suffered.<a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Matthew 3:15</a> And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.<a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31</a> So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-6.htm">1 Corinthians 7:6</a> But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.but.<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.<a href="/genesis/7-7.htm">Genesis 7:7</a> And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.<a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-11.htm">Consideration</a> <a href="/matthew/19-7.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">First</a> <a href="/matthew/11-30.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-65.htm">Hardness</a> <a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/19-7.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/matthew/16-17.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-27.htm">Stiffness</a> <a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">View</a> <a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Way</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-14.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/mark/10-5.htm">Consideration</a> <a href="/mark/10-2.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/matthew/19-30.htm">First</a> <a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/mark/3-5.htm">Hardness</a> <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/mark/1-4.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/matthew/19-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/mark/10-4.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/mark/10-5.htm">Stiffness</a> <a href="/matthew/19-14.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/24-43.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/matthew/22-11.htm">View</a> <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/22-30.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 19</div>1. <a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Jesus heals the sick;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;</a> 10. <a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">shows when marriage is necessary;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">receives the little children;</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">and how to be perfect;</a> 23. <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> 27. <a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Jesus replied In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question posed by the Pharisees regarding the legality of divorce. His reply is authoritative, indicating His role as a teacher and interpreter of the Law. This interaction highlights Jesus' wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures, as well as His ability to address complex issues with clarity.Moses permitted you to divorce your wives Here, Jesus refers to <a href="/deuteronomy/24.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a>, where Moses provided regulations concerning divorce. This was a concession to human weakness rather than an endorsement of divorce. The cultural context of the time allowed for divorce, but it was not God's ideal. Moses' allowance was a way to manage the consequences of sin in a fallen world, ensuring some protection for women in a patriarchal society.because of your hardness of heart The phrase "hardness of heart" indicates a spiritual and moral stubbornness. In biblical terms, a hard heart is resistant to God's will and guidance. This condition is often associated with sin and rebellion against God. Jesus points out that the allowance for divorce was a response to human sinfulness, not a reflection of God's perfect will.But it was not this way from the beginning Jesus refers back to the creation narrative in Genesis, where God established marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman (<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>). This statement underscores the original divine intention for marriage, which is rooted in permanence and unity. By pointing to the beginning, Jesus emphasizes the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage as God intended it before the fall of humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about divorce posed by the Pharisees. He emphasizes the original intent of marriage as designed by God. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> A key figure in the Old Testament, Moses is mentioned here as the one who permitted divorce due to the hardness of people's hearts. This refers to the Mosaic Law, which allowed for divorce under certain conditions. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law. They approached Jesus with a question about divorce to test Him. 4. <a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm">Marriage</a> The institution being discussed, originally established by God as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. 5. <a href="/topical/d/divorce.htm">Divorce</a> The act of legally dissolving a marriage, which Jesus addresses in this passage, highlighting the difference between God's original design and the allowances made due to human sinfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_original_design_for_marriage.htm">Understanding God's Original Design for Marriage</a> Marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant, reflecting God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His people. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequence_of_hardness_of_heart.htm">The Consequence of Hardness of Heart</a> Human sinfulness and hardness of heart can lead to deviations from God's perfect plan, such as the allowance for divorce. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_forgiveness_and_reconciliation.htm">The Importance of Forgiveness and Reconciliation</a> In marriage, as in all relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation should be pursued to align with God's original intent. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law_in_addressing_human_weakness.htm">The Role of the Law in Addressing Human Weakness</a> The Mosaic Law provided guidelines to manage human sinfulness, but it was not the ideal. Jesus calls us to strive for the ideal in our relationships. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ_in_marriage.htm">Reflecting Christ in Marriage</a> Christian marriages should reflect the love, sacrifice, and commitment of Christ to His Church, serving as a testimony to the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 19</a> <a href="/q/does_god_disapprove_of_divorce.htm">Does God disapprove of divorce?</a> <a href="/q/is_remarriage_after_divorce_biblical.htm">Is remarriage after divorce permissible according to the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/biblical_reasons_for_divorce.htm">What are the biblical grounds for divorce?</a> <a href="/q/is_remarriage_adultery.htm">Is a second marriage considered adultery?</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>(8) Moses because of the hardness of your hearts.--The force of the answer lies (1) in emphasized substitution of "suffered" for "commanded." The scribes of the school of Hillel had almost turned divorce into a duty, even when there was no ground for it but incompatibility of temper or other lesser fault, as if <a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm" title="When a man has taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.">Deuteronomy 24:1</a> had enjoined the writing of divorcement in such cases. (2) In the grounds assigned for the permission. Our Lord's position in the controversy between the two schools was analogous to that in which those who are true at once to principles and facts not seldom find themselves. He agreed, as we have seen, with the ideal of marriage maintained by the followers of Shammai. He accepted as a legitimate interpretation of the Law that of the followers of Hillel. But He proclaimed, with an authority greater than that of Moses, that his legislation on this point was a step backwards when compared with the primary law of nature, which had been "from the beginning," and only so far a step forward because the people had fallen into a yet lower state, in which the observance of the higher law was practically impossible. But for the possibility of divorce the wife would have been the victim of the husband's tyranny; and law, which has to deal with facts, was compelled to choose the least of two evils. Two important consequences, it will be obvious, flow from the reasoning thus enforced: (1) that the "hardness of heart" which made this concession necessary may be admitted as at least a partial explanation of whatever else in the Law of Moses strikes us as deviating from the standard of eternal righteousness embodied in the law of Christ--as, e.g., the tolerance of polygamy and slavery, and the severity of punishment for seeming trivial faults; (2) that the principle is one of wider application than the particular instance, and that where a nation calling itself Christian has sunk so low as to exhibit the "hardness of heart" of Jews or heathens, there also a concessive legislation may be forced upon the State even while the churches assert their witness of the higher truth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - Moses because of (πρὸς, with a view to, to meet) the hardness of your hearts; your obstinacy, perverseness. You were not honest and pure enough to obey the primitive law. There was danger that you would ill treat your wives in order to get rid of them, or even murder them. The lesser evil was regular divorce. But the enactment is really a shame and reproach to you, and was occasioned by grave defects in your character and conduct. And it is not true to say that Moses commanded; he only suffered you to put away your wives. This was a temporary permission to meet your then circumstances. Divorce had been practised commonly and long; it was traditional; it was seen among all other Oriental peoples. Moses could not hope at once to eradicate the inveterate evil; he could only modify, mitigate, and regulate its practice. The rules which he introduced were intended, not to facilitate divorce, but to lead men better to realize the proper idea of marriage. And Christ was introducing a better law, a higher morality, for which Mosaic legislation paved the way (comp. <a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20</a>; <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a>). From the beginning. The original institution of marriage contained no idea of divorce; it was no mere civil contract, made by man and dissoluble by man, but a union of God's own formation, with which no human power could interfere. However novel this view might seem, it was God's own design from the first. The first instance of polygamy occurs in <a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Genesis 4:19</a>, and is connected with murder and revenge. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/19-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Jesus answered, Λέγει (Legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “[It was] because of πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. hardness of heart σκληροκαρδίαν (sklērokardian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4641.htm">Strong's 4641: </a> Feminine of a compound of skleros and kardia; hard-heartedness, i.e., destitution of perception. [that] Moses Μωϋσῆς (Mōusēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3475.htm">Strong's 3475: </a> Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver. permitted ἐπέτρεψεν (epetrepsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2010.htm">Strong's 2010: </a> To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. to divorce ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_630.htm">Strong's 630: </a> From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. wives; γυναῖκας (gynaikas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. [it] was γέγονεν (gegonen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. this way οὕτως (houtōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). from ἀπ’ (ap’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. [the] beginning. ἀρχῆς (archēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_746.htm">Strong's 746: </a> From archomai; a commencement, or chief. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 19:8 He said to them Moses because (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/19-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 19:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/19-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 19:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:9" /></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>