“And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
Introduction
This brief passage from Matthew 19 speaks to the seriousness of marriage and the boundaries God has established for faithfulness within that bond. Jesus addresses a question about divorce and remarriage, teaching with clarity about the dignity of the marriage covenant and the consequences when it is violated. The verses remind readers to consider love, commitment, and the sanctity of vows made before God.
Historical-Cultural Context and Authorship
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus' teachings in a Jewish-Greek context. In first-century Israel, divorce carried social and religious weight, and debates over when remarriage could occur were common among teachers and rabbis. Jesus speaks with authority, rooting his instruction in the creation account and God’s design for lifelong union. While the language is strong, it aims to guide hearts toward fidelity and his vision of grace within responsibility.
Characters and Places
- Jesus is the speaker, teaching in the broader Gospel narrative.
- The individuals in this verse are a husband, a wife who has been separated or divorced, and a potential new spouse. The text does not name them, but it speaks to the dynamics of marriage, separation, and remarriage that would be known in the communities Matthew’s readers inhabited.
Explanation and Meaning of the Text
Jesus states a principle: divorce is permissible only in the case of fornication, and remarriage after divorce constitutes adultery. The word for fornication signals sexual immorality that breaks the marriage covenant. The clause about marrying someone “put away” reiterates that remarriage after an approved divorce still involves disloyalty to the original vow. The passage emphasizes God’s intention for the permanence of marriage and calls readers to consider the seriousness of breaking vows, while also pointing toward the need for grace and faithfulness in the community as they navigate human brokenness.
Devotional
- May this teaching stir in us a reverent fear of the seriousness with which God regards vows and the sacredness of the marriage covenant. Let it remind us to pursue reconciliation where possible, and to walk in integrity, keeping our commitments before God and one another.
- May we seek grace to extend mercy, to foster healing for those who have carried the weight of broken promises, and to reflect Christ’s love by upholding truth with compassion in all our relationships.