In this short but weighty section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks directly to an issue that was often abused and misunderstood in His day—divorce.
Rather than echo the culture or appease the crowds, He calls His followers back to the holy seriousness of marriage.
These verses may be brief, but their impact is profound—especially in a time like ours, when relationships are easily broken and covenant is rarely honored.
Who Is Jesus Speaking To?
Still speaking to His disciples and the crowd gathered on the hillside, Jesus continues reframing the Law. He’s no longer just correcting behavior—He’s calling for heart transformation.
This part of His message is particularly directed at the men of the time, who had legal loopholes that allowed them to divorce their wives for nearly any reason.
📜 What Jesus Said: Matthew 5:31–32 (NASB)
31 “Now it was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
What Happened?
Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 24:1–4, where Moses allowed for divorce due to the “hardness of heart.”
However, by Jesus’ time, many had twisted that allowance into an excuse for selfishness.
Jesus doesn’t ignore the pain of broken relationships.
But He raises the standard and restores the purpose: Marriage is a covenant, not a contract.
His message?
Don’t treat people as disposable. Marriage is sacred—and it matters to God.
Action Step: Reflect on how you view commitment. Are you approaching your relationships with covenant integrity or consumer convenience?
“Except for Sexual Immorality”
Jesus allows only one specific exception: sexual unfaithfulness (Greek: porneia).
Even then, He isn’t commanding divorce—He’s acknowledging the brokenness it causes.
He is confronting a system where men discard women carelessly, leaving them socially and spiritually vulnerable.
Action Step: If you’re married, renew your vow to honor, serve, and protect your spouse. If you’re single, prepare your heart for covenant—don’t date casually what you should only enter prayerfully.
Mood of the Scene
Sober. Countercultural. Protective.
Jesus isn’t shaming anyone—He’s elevating the value of people and the sacredness of promises.
He speaks with truth and tenderness, confronting injustice and calling His followers to higher ground.
Response from the People
The crowd is likely stunned.
They are used to religious leaders justifying easy divorce—but Jesus flipped the script.
He didn’t make divorce unforgivable—He made marriage weighty and worthy.
What This Means for Us in 2025
In a world where commitment is often temporary and people are discarded when things get hard, Jesus still said:
Marriage is holy. Love is a covenant. Faithfulness reflects God’s nature.
Whether you’re married, divorced, single, or remarried—Jesus calls you to pursue truth, restoration, and holiness.
Practical Ways to Live This Out:
- If you’re married: Cultivate covenant love daily. Pray together. Forgive often.
- If you’re single: Seek God’s heart for marriage. Don’t compromise your standards.
- If you’ve experienced divorce: Receive God’s healing. There is grace, restoration, and purpose for you.
- If you’re struggling: Get help early. Don’t fight in silence—seek biblical counseling and community.
Final Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of covenant love. Forgive us for treating relationships lightly. Strengthen every marriage represented here. Heal those carrying the pain of divorce. Restore what has been broken. Let my life reflect Your faithfulness in how I love and commit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
