Some Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] came to Him [and attempted] to test Him by asking, “Is it permissible by the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?”
They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote [something] on the ground [i.e., in the dirt] with His finger.
“But it is too bad for you hypocritical experts in the Law of Moses and [you] Pharisees! [It is] because you withhold the kingdom of heaven from people, for you do not enter it yourselves, nor [do you] allow those who are trying to enter it to get in.
So, the leading priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council [Note: This was the Jewish governing body called “the Sanhedrin”] and said, “What should we do, for this man is performing many [miraculous] signs?
The Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, so the leading priests and Pharisees sent some Temple guards to arrest Him.
And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees [meticulously] clean the outside of the cup and the dish [i.e., this was an allusion to their lives], but you are filled with greed for wealth and [other] evils on the inside.
And the experts in the Law of Moses were watching Him to see if He would heal [someone] on the Sabbath day, so they could figure out how to accuse Him.
Now the Pharisees and their experts in the Law of Moses complained to Jesus’ disciples, saying, “Why do you men eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?”
Then Jesus ordered them, saying, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Herod.” [Note: By “Herod” is probably meant the Herodians, who were a party favorable to King Herod and, along with the Pharisees and Sadducees, were out to get Jesus. See Matt. 16:6].
The Pharisees and Sadducees [i.e., these were strict sects of the Jewish religion], came out and began disputing with Jesus, asking for a [supernatural] sign from Him, [in an attempt] to test Him.
Some Pharisees came to Him, [attempting] to put Him to a test. They said, “Is it permissible by the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife for any reason [he chooses]?”
And Jesus left there and went to the region of Judea and east of the Jordan River. Again crowds gathered around Him and He continued teaching them, as was His custom.