Matthew 19:1–12 is a passage where Jesus teaches on divorce. In this passage, Jesus is tested on divorce, offering profound insights into the subject. The situation in which Jesus was tested on divorce reveals His profound understanding and unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity of marriage.
Jesus doesn’t avoid hard conversations—He clarifies them with truth and grace, particularly when addressing issues like divorce.
In Matthew 19:1–12, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with a divorce question. This was another instance where Jesus was tested on divorce, but instead of getting caught in cultural debate, Jesus redirects the conversation to God’s heart for marriage.
📖 Matthew 19:1–12 (NASB 2020)
1 When Jesus had finished these words, He left Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” 4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘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 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.” 7 They said to Him, “Why, then, did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” 11 But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- The Pharisees were trying to test Him with a legal trap related to the teachings on divorce.
- His disciples, who were startled by His high view of marriage
- Us today, reminding us to align with God’s purpose, not cultural permission
What Happened?
- Jesus traveled and healed many, while teaching on divorce to clarify misconceptions.
- Pharisees tried to corner Him with a controversial question. During this encounter, Jesus’ teaching on divorce further illuminates His message.
- Jesus responded by pointing back to Genesis and God’s original design
- He challenged the permissiveness of divorce based on heart hardness
- The disciples were shocked by the strictness of Jesus’ stance
The Mood: Confrontational, Clarifying, Compassionate
- The Pharisees were testing, not genuinely seeking the truth
- Jesus confronted legalism with divine design
- He invited a deeper, Kingdom understanding of marriage, especially when teaching about divorce.
The Principle: Marriage Reflects God’s Covenant
- God created marriage to be one-flesh, not disposable
- Divorce was never part of the original plan
- The condition of the heart affects relationships
- Kingdom living requires submission to God’s standards, not human compromise, as taught extensively by Jesus on divorce.
Audience Response (Then)
- The Pharisees heard the truth but remained entrenched in legal tradition
- The disciples were surprised, even overwhelmed by the commitment Jesus described
- Jesus gave space for those called to celibacy or singleness for Kingdom purposes
What This Means for Us in 2025
- Culture may shift, but God’s Word is steady, particularly in teachings on marriage and divorce.
- Marriage is not about convenience but covenant.
- We must evaluate relationships through the lens of God’s design, not society’s permission.
- The heart matters more than the certificate
Action Steps for Today
- Revere your marriage as a sacred covenant
- Deal with heart hardness before it fractures relationships
- Study Genesis to understand God’s blueprint for relationships
- Honor singleness or marriage as Kingdom callings
- Speak truth with grace in conversations about divorce, as Jesus teaches.
Final Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing us Your heart for marriage. Forgive us where we’ve compromised or grown hard in our hearts. Restore what has been broken, and strengthen every relationship to reflect Your love. Help us live in covenant, not convenience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Marriage was never meant to be a debate. It was meant to be a reflection of God’s covenant love, as clearly illustrated when Jesus teaches on the subject of divorce.
