In Mark 10, verses 1-12, we find the account of Jesus answering questions from a group of Pharisees. The teaching of Jesus here reveals some simple truths about the importance God places upon the marriage relationship.
The question of the Pharisees was: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (2). The question was not asked out of a legitimate desire to learn the truth, it was a means of “testing Him” (2). Jesus’ initial response was to ask them what Moses wrote. He did this not to settle the matter of their question, but to point out that the reason for Moses’ response in regulating but allowing some divorce was because of “the hardness of your heart” (5). This has been and still is the big problem that leads to the prolific use of divorcement by men.
Here is Jesus’ simple answer:
- God’s rule was established at the beginning of the world. “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (6-7, cf. Genesis 2:24). Jesus’ commentary on this truth is, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (9). In other words, his answer to them was NO, it is not lawful for a man to divorce his wife.
- The ramifications of this truth applies both to men and women. The disciples were interested in this matter as well, and asked him again. He responded with two parallel truths, clearly showing that this teaching applies to both genders. “Whoever divorce his wife and marries another commits adultery against her” (11). “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (12).
Matthew records more of Jesus’s words, (5:31-32; 19:1-9) as does Luke (16:18). There is nothing there that in any way contradicts what Mark faithfully recorded. There is in Matthew 19 a single exception to God’s law, which deals with unfaithfulness: “except for fornication” (19:9, KJV).
This had led some to distill this teaching in an accurate and understandable way. God’s law for marriage is “One man, one woman, for a lifetime, with one exception.”
I am aware that this is hard. The disciples thought it was hard too, (cf. Matthew 19:10). This is always the case for those who disregard God’s instructions. It makes their way in life HARD! (cf. Proverbs 13:15)
