Matthew 9:1-12

Wisdom from above concerning divorce Matthew 19:1-12: The Pharisees tested Jesus with the question, "Is it lawful and right to dismiss and divorce one's wife for any and every cause?" They intended to use against Jesus whatever His answer was. In answer Jesus challenged their knowledge of Old Testament events by taking them back to the beginning when God "made them male and female." He spoke of the permanence of the marriage covenant. God's plan was simple; one man joined inseparably to his wife for life. Moses had allowed divorce and remarriage for many reasons because of the stubbornness of the people's heart. Adultery or unchasity is the only exception given by the Master, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9)

If the divorce occurred for some reason other than adultery the one that marries this divorced woman commits adultery. After hearing the Master teach about divorce the disciples thought it might not be advisable for man to marry. They thought celibacy might be preferred to marriage. Jesus named three groups who could practice celibacy: (1) those that were born eunuchs, (2) those made eunuchs by men, and (3) those that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom's sake. Celibacy is a command only for those able to accept it. (Matthew 19:12)