What Is MarriageWhat Is Divorce

Matthew 19:1-12

1960Population

2010Population

Marriage rateper 1000

Divorce rate per 1000

179,323,175 8.5 2.2 *

Marriage rateper 1000

Divorce rateper 1000

246,273,366 6.8 3.6 *

* 50 states reported in 1960. 44 states reported in 2010 (California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, and Minnesota are excluded)

Matthew 19:3Matthew 19:3

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?

Matthew 19:3Matthew 19:3

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?

The Pharisees intended to back Jesus into anunfavorable position with the people

Matthew 19:3Matthew 19:3

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?

This was a prevalentproblem in the firstcentury like today

Matthew 19:3Matthew 19:3

Deals with putting away (divorce)

Implies marriage

For every cause?

Pharisees are concerned with Deut. 24:1-4—the “uncleanness” and the “writing of divorcement”

Historical evidence shows the diversity of thought among Jews as to the cause (“uncleanness”)

Scholars are unable to determinewhat the “uncleanness” is. It is not adultery since that sin waspunishable with death (Deut. 22:22;Lev. 20:10)

Rabbi ShammaiRabbi Shammai

“...he has found some unchastity in her, for it is written, ‘Because he hath found in her indecency in anything’”

Rabbi HillelRabbi Hillel

“He may divorce her even if she spoiled a dish for him, for it is written, ‘Because he hath found in her indecency in anything’”

Rabbi AkibaRabbi Akiba

“find no favor in his eyes” meant that he had found another more favorable to him and could divorce the first for the second

The Answer of JesusThe Answer of JesusMatthew 19:4-6aMatthew 19:4-6a

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh

In The BeginningIn The Beginning Genesis 1:27: So God created man

in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them

Genesis 2:24: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh

What Is Marriage?What Is Marriage?

Private agreementPublic acknowledgement

Joining together (socially)Betrothals (Matt. 2:18; Lk. 2:5)

Wedding feasts (Jn. 2:1-2; Matt. 25:10)

What Is Divorce?What Is Divorce?

“…it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes…”

“…then let him write her a bill of divorcement…”

“…send her out of his house…”

Using Deut. 24:1 as guide

What Is Divorce?What Is Divorce?

Private problem

Public acknowledgement

She is publicly sent from the house

What about the question in What about the question in Matthew 19:3?Matthew 19:3?

Is it lawful for any cause? The answer of Jesus was:

“No”

What about the question in What about the question in Matthew 19:3?Matthew 19:3?

Wasn’t lawful in the beginning

Wasn’t lawful under Moses

Is not lawful under Christ

Jesus’ answer to the Jesus’ answer to the question in Matthew 19:3?question in Matthew 19:3?

Not according to Rabbis

Goes back to the beginning

Offers one exception—for the cause of fornication (Matt. 19:9)

Jesus’ answer to the Jesus’ answer to the question in Matthew 19:3?question in Matthew 19:3?

Not according to Rabbis

Goes back to the beginning

Offers one exception—for the cause of fornication (Matt. 19:9)

Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)

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

Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)

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

Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)Another possibility (Matt. 19:12)

Jesus introduces celibacy

Some in Jesus’ day had no other option

Same is true today