Matthew 19:3
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Matthew 19:3
“And they approached Him, Pharisees, testing Him, and saying to Him, ‘If it permits a man to dismiss his wife for every cause?’” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus was noted as having great multitudes follow Him, and He healed them in that area. Next, it says, “And they approached Him, Pharisees.”
Again, as has happened throughout His ministry, Jesus is accosted by members of the legalistic, self-righteous party of the Pharisees. As expected, they came “testing Him.”
A problem with their testing is that no matter what doctrine or evidence Jesus provided, they would not accept Him. This has already been proven true, and it will continue to be so. The prophets had spoken in the past concerning Israel’s leadership, and they were too blind to see it. At this time, they were testing Him, “and saying to Him, ‘If it permits a man to dismiss his wife for every cause?’”
Here is a new word, aitia, a cause (as if asked for). It also reflects seeking a logical reason behind a motive or matter, such as a crime. Thus, it would include accusations. It is not stated why this was asked, but because they are “testing” Him, they may have heard directly or indirectly about one of His teachings concerning marriage. For example, in Matthew 5, Jesus said –
“And it was said that whoever, if he shall dismiss his wife, he gives to her a divorcement. 32And I, I say, to you that whoever if he shall dismiss his wife, except a word of harlotry, he makes her commit adultery. And whoever if ‘her having been dismissed’ he shall marry, he commits adultery.” Matthew 5:31, 32
Having heard this, they may be trying to entrap Him by pitting Him against Moses. They may also be trying to trap Him between noted teachers of Israel who had commented on the matter. For example, the school of the teacher Shammai said that adultery was the only allowable reason for divorce. On the other hand, Hillel took Moses’ words to mean any reason the husband deemed suitable when the wife had displeased him.
The allowance for divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Nothing is specifically stated concerning what offense rose to such a level. Moses says, “it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her.”
The statement is general enough to mean whatever the leaders at the time determined. Hence, the opinion of the rabbis would weigh heavily on the matter.
Life application: One can see the importance of finding the right instructor in religious matters by considering the different views these religious instructors held. Israel was God’s chosen people to reveal Him and what He expected. But seeing the vast difference between the views of Shammai and Hillel tells us that either one view or the other might be right, or they may both be wrong, but they both could not be right.
As such, one or both were leading the people astray from what God expected. That may seem trivial two thousand years later when they are all dead and gone, and the law no longer has any bearing on those who have come to Christ. But Israel really was punished for turning from God’s law. And Jesus strongly condemned those leaders who turned the people from properly observing it.
Do you suppose it is any different today? Did God stop caring about theology when Christ came out of the grave? Rather, theology is more important today than it ever was during biblical times.
We now must decide if Jesus was just a man who taught well or is He truly God incarnate. Some teachers say that we are obligated, in part or in whole, to observe the Law of Moses. Others teach that the law has been annulled in Christ for Jews and that it never (no, never ever!) applied to Gentiles.
The matter is so important that Paul calls down a curse upon those who wrongly teach this matter. Therefore, seeing that having the right instructor is important, the question that then must be asked is, “How do you know if he is a sound instructor?” There can be only one correct answer to that question: Does he adhere properly to what the Bible says?
And guess what? You cannot know if he does or doesn’t unless... unless... unless you read and know the Bible. Otherwise, you are playing with fire, trusting someone because of his charm, oratory skills, confidence, or some other trait that has nothing to do with soundly adhering to God’s word. Be sure to read and know your Bible –
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8, 9
Lord God, how thankful we are to have Your word and to be able to freely read and contemplate it. Without that available, we are left in a world full of falsity concerning You and what You expect of us. Thank You that we can know the truth when we enter Your wonderful word! Amen.
