Matthew 19:9

MATTHEW—NOTE ON Matthew 19:9 Every phrase in this verse is important for understanding Jesus’ teaching on divorce. whoever divorces his wife. The word translated here as “divorces” always refers to divorce, not separation (see also v. Matthew 19:3). except for sexual immorality. “Sexual immorality” refers to any sexual intercourse outside of marriage; see note on 5:31–32. This implies that divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality is not prohibited. This is the one exception Jesus makes to the requirement that marriage be lifelong. Sexual immorality undercuts the “one flesh” union (Matthew 19:5). The parallel passages in Mark 10:11 and Luke 16:18 omit “except for sexual immorality,” probably because everyone assumed that divorce was allowed in the case of adultery (this was not at issue in the immediate context in Mark 10:1 and Luke 16:1). and marries another, commits adultery. If a divorce is obtained for any reason other than sexual immorality, then the second marriage begins with adultery. Jesus is prohibiting divorce for the many trivial reasons that were used in the first century. This led to widespread injustice, especially for women whose husbands suddenly divorced them. “And marries another” implies that the second marriage, though it begins with adultery, is still a marriage. Once a second marriage has occurred, it would be further sin to break it up. If the exception (“sexual immorality”) occurs, then remarriage to “another” does not constitute adultery and is acceptable. Divorce, it must be remembered, is permitted but not required in the case of sexual immorality. Since God’s intention is that marriage should be for life (Matthew 19:4), one should make every reasonable effort to achieve restoration and forgiveness before taking steps to dissolve a marriage through divorce. (On the question of divorce and desertion, see 1 Corinthians 7:15 and note.)