Matthew 19:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁸ 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 versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁸ 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

⁸ 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)

⁸ 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

⁸ 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

⁸ 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.

Matthew 19:8 Cross References

Mark 10:5

But Jesus said to them, “He wrote you this commandment [only] because of the rebellious spirit of you [Jews].

1 Corinthians 7:6

But I am telling you this by way of [granting you] permission and not as a command.

Matthew 8:31

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.”

Matthew 3:15

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.

Matthew 19:7

They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?”

Matthew 19:9

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].”

Mark 16:14

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.