Matthew 19:3 - Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
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What does "Matthew 19:3" mean?
This verse, Matthew 19:3, sets the stage for a significant debate about divorce that Jesus has with the Pharisees. Let's break it down:
"Pharisees came to him...": The Pharisees were a Jewish religious and social group known for their strict adherence to religious law and tradition. They often questioned Jesus, and sometimes tried to trap him in theological debates.
"...testing him...": This reveals the Pharisees' motive. They weren't genuinely seeking wisdom. They were trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would either contradict Jewish law (as they interpreted it) or make him unpopular with the crowds. They likely had a specific agenda related to the prevailing debates around divorce.
"...and saying, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?'": This is the key question they pose to Jesus. The phrasing "for any reason" is crucial. Within Judaism at the time, there were varying interpretations of the law regarding divorce.
The "Shammai" school held a stricter view, allowing divorce only for serious offenses like adultery.
The "Hillel" school held a more lenient view, allowing divorce for almost any reason, even something as trivial as burning the husband's dinner.
The Pharisees' question puts Jesus in a difficult position. If he answers one way, he'll offend the followers of the other school. If he sides with the stricter view, he risks being seen as insensitive and harsh. If he sides with the lenient view, he might be accused of undermining the sanctity of marriage.
In essence, this verse highlights:
The Pharisees' contentious attitude towards Jesus.
The divisive debate about divorce within Jewish society at the time.
The trap the Pharisees were setting for Jesus.
The following verses in Matthew 19 then record Jesus' response, where he goes back to the original intent of marriage as created by God (in Genesis) to provide his own teaching on the matter.
Matthew 19:3 - Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
What does "Matthew 19:3" mean?
This verse, Matthew 19:3, sets the stage for a significant debate about divorce that Jesus has with the Pharisees. Let's break it down:
"Pharisees came to him...": The Pharisees were a Jewish religious and social group known for their strict adherence to religious law and tradition. They often questioned Jesus, and sometimes tried to trap him in theological debates.
"...testing him...": This reveals the Pharisees' motive. They weren't genuinely seeking wisdom. They were trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would either contradict Jewish law (as they interpreted it) or make him unpopular with the crowds. They likely had a specific agenda related to the prevailing debates around divorce.
"...and saying, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?'": This is the key question they pose to Jesus. The phrasing "for any reason" is crucial. Within Judaism at the time, there were varying interpretations of the law regarding divorce.
The "Shammai" school held a stricter view, allowing divorce only for serious offenses like adultery.
The "Hillel" school held a more lenient view, allowing divorce for almost any reason, even something as trivial as burning the husband's dinner.
The Pharisees' question puts Jesus in a difficult position. If he answers one way, he'll offend the followers of the other school. If he sides with the stricter view, he risks being seen as insensitive and harsh. If he sides with the lenient view, he might be accused of undermining the sanctity of marriage.
In essence, this verse highlights:
The Pharisees' contentious attitude towards Jesus.
The divisive debate about divorce within Jewish society at the time.
The trap the Pharisees were setting for Jesus.
The following verses in Matthew 19 then record Jesus' response, where he goes back to the original intent of marriage as created by God (in Genesis) to provide his own teaching on the matter.