They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?”
Matthew 19:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives [only] because of the rebellious spirits you [Jews] had. But this was not how it was [intended to be] from the beginning [i.e., when God created one woman for one man]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition He said to them, Because of the hardness (stubbornness and perversity) of your hearts Moses permitted you to dismiss and repudiate and divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been so [ordained]. American Standard Version (1901) He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. Common English Bible Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. Catholic Public Domain Version He said to them: "Although Moses permitted you to separate from your wives, due to the hardness of your heart, it was not that way from the beginning. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. |
They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?”
And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward her], unless the reason for the divorce was sexual unfaithfulness [on his wife’s part]. And the person who marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].”
But Jesus answered him, “Allow it [to be done], for it is proper for us to complete everything that is right [before God].” So, John agreed to it.
So, the evil spirits [in one of the men. See Mark 5:1ff] begged Jesus, saying, “If you are going to drive us out [of this man], send us away into that herd of [wild (?)] hogs.”
But Jesus said to them, “He wrote you this commandment [only] because of the rebellious spirit of you [Jews].
Later on Jesus showed Himself to the eleven apostles as they sat [i.e., reclined. See Matt. 23:6], eating a meal. He scolded them for their lack of faith and stubbornness because they refused to believe those who had seen Him [alive] after His resurrection.
But I am telling you this by way of [granting you] permission and not as a command.