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Explanation for:
Matthew
19
:
3
And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, and saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Gregory the Theologian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c5f2a7f789cd7951c81_Gregory%20the%20Theologian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Once more, the Pharisees are put to the test; once again, those who study the Law fail to grasp its true meaning; and once more, the interpreters of the Law find themselves in need of new teachers. The Sadducees, who inquired about the resurrection, the lawyers, who sought answers concerning perfection, the Herodians, who questioned matters of lineage, and others who challenged issues of authority, were all left wanting. Meanwhile, someone approaches the Incomprehensible One to ask about marriage, questioning the very Creator of marriage Himself, who is the origin of all humanity."},{"author-name":"Asterius of Amaseia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Once more, the Holy Spirit has provided us with great gifts and profound beauty in this tangible feast. However, I focused on the Pharisees—those who engage in empty chatter and seek to ensnare others—and felt deep compassion for their corrupt attitudes. They aimed to outsmart the very Source of wisdom with their inquiries but were ultimately unsuccessful, as the Divinity of the Only Begotten effortlessly uses their questions against them. This seems to echo the prophetic words of Isaiah: \\"the Lord turneth back the wise, and curtails their counsels, and setteth the tongue of His servant\\" (Isaiah 44:25-26), followed by David's lament: \\"their tongues flatter them: judge them, O God, that they depart from their thoughts\\" (Psalm 5:10-11). We must extend our gratitude to them, even as adversaries, for prompting Wisdom to respond, allowing us, as Her servants, to preserve a written lesson that proves beneficial. Here we find the sanctity of marriage, the fundamental aspect of human existence, with clear guidelines regarding its initiation and termination. Both men and women should heed these teachings diligently, with women understanding their unique responsibilities and men acknowledging their obligations towards women. \\n\\nThe Jews posed the question, \\"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?\\" I consider the intent behind their inquiry from a different perspective. Women appear more endowed with trust and possess a greater openness to the miraculous, often perceiving and believing in the divinity of Christ. Indeed, at the crucifixion, a multitude of women mourned for the Savior, weeping bitterly (Lk. 23:27). In an attempt to ensnare Him with a cunning question, the Pharisees seemed to cast nets and traps through their words; yet, the Lord, in His divine power, perceiving their wickedness and simultaneously establishing a life-affirming decree, rendered their schemes futile. He provided an answer that upheld the dignity of women while casting aside the deceptive intentions of the Pharisees, who had opened their mouths in vain."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"From Galilee He journeyed to Judea, where a group of Pharisees and Sadducees approached Him to inquire if it was permissible for a husband to divorce his wife for any reason. Their intent was to trap Him through a form of logical reasoning, knowing that whatever He responded could be used against Him. If He had asserted that a wife could be sent away for any cause and then marry another, He would have been deemed as teaching something that contradicted modesty. Conversely, if He declared that divorce was not permissible for every offense, He would have been viewed as violating sacred law and considered an adversary to Moses, thereby opposing God Himself. Consequently, the Lord crafted His reply in such a way as to evade their deception, invoking Scripture and natural law as His defense, while highlighting the original divine command in contrast to the subsequent decree, which was not aligned with God's intent but rather accommodated the demands of those who had sinned."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Conversely, the latter only grow more obstinate as a result, approaching Him with temptation. Unable to trap Jesus Christ through His actions, they present Him with difficult questions to answer. It is noted that they approached Him, and the tempters inquired, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” (v. 3) Such foolishness! They attempted to silence Him with their queries, despite having already witnessed His authority! When the Pharisees engaged in lengthy discussions with Jesus regarding the Sabbath (Matt. 12), accused Him of blasphemy (Matt. 9:3), claimed He was possessed (John 10:20), criticized His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath, and condemned them for not washing their hands (Matt. 12:2) – in every instance, He outmaneuvered their attempts to stop Him and silenced their shameless accusations, yet they remained unyielding. Such is the nature of wrath and envy – relentless and audacious; even after being repelled numerous times, they return just as often!\\n\\nConsider the malicious intent behind their inquiry. They do not refer to His command against leaving one’s spouse, nor do they recall these previous teachings; instead, they deliberately disregard them, scheming to ensnare Him further and place Him in opposition to the law. They do not ask, “Why did You establish this or that commandment?” Instead, as if no law had ever been given, they pose the question, “If it is lawful,” believing He might have overlooked His own statements. They were prepared, should He suggest the possibility of divorce, to twist His own words back upon Him, asking, “Why did You not say this before?” If He were to reaffirm His earlier words, they would counter with the law of Moses."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Every good husband will appreciate a worthy wife, for true love is free from wrongdoing. A man who truly cherishes his spouse has no need for a decree of separation. When such a decree becomes necessary, it reveals an underlying animosity; and where animosity exists, there is infidelity. Consider this: if you observe someone seeking a physician, it is reasonable to conclude that they are unwell. Similarly, when someone begins to inquire about the laws surrounding divorce, it is evident that they are lacking in moral integrity."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Oh, the folly of the Pharisees! They believed they could silence Christ with their inquiries. If He had declared, ‘It is permissible to divorce one’s spouse for any reason,’ they might have retorted, ‘How could You have previously stated that no one should divorce except for the cause of unfaithfulness?’ And if He had proclaimed, ‘It is not permissible to divorce one’s spouse at all,’ they would have sought to accuse Him of opposing Moses, who allowed for the dismissal of an undesired wife without sufficient grounds. Yet what does Christ reveal? He demonstrates that celibacy was ordained by our Creator from the very beginning."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When they witnessed His miracles and divine authority, their hearts were hardened. Unable to criticize His deeds, they resorted to trying to trap Him with His words, a strategy they had employed multiple times before, only to end up speechless each time. Yet their jealousy was unrestrained and bold. Pay attention to their deceit; although He had previously taught on this matter, specifically in the fifth chapter, stating, ‘Whosoever letteth his wife go, except for the word of an adulterer, doth she commit adultery’ (Matthew 5:32), they presumed He had overlooked this teaching. Thus, they refrained from asking, \\"Why did You teach this...?\\" Instead, they inquired with cunning intent, aiming to ensnare Him: if He were to say it is permissible, they could counter with, \\"How could You teach that it is not?\\" Conversely, if He claimed it was not permissible, they intended to challenge Him on the law. Therefore, within the fifth chapter, one can find the clarification of this saying, ‘Whosoever shall let his wife go, except for the word of an adulterer, shall commit adultery...’, and therein lies the understanding of the law itself and its underlying rationale. Yet, what of Christ, who is fully aware of their schemes and tricks?"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He departed from Galilee and arrived at the boundaries of Judea. He was alongside the Jordan, on the eastern bank, likely traversing Perea or the ancient region of Gilead. On the western side of the Jordan, situated between Galilee and Judea, lay Samaria, which was the usual route to Judea; however, on this occasion, the Savior opted not to take that path, although He had done so previously. Instead, after crossing the Jordan from Galilee, He journeyed along the river’s edge, and subsequently crossed the river again, most likely near Jericho, before entering the heart of Judea."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Tempting Him, they inquired, seeking to catch Him off guard and potentially accuse Him based on His response. They wanted to know if it was permissible to divorce a wife for any reason, assuming He had overlooked His previous statements in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:31-32). They intended to use His own words against Him, reasoning, “Why did You speak differently before?” especially if He were to affirm the necessity of letting a wife go. They aimed to pit Him against the teachings of Moses, should He echo His earlier sentiments (Chrysostom, cf. Theophilus). Furthermore, during that time, the Pharisees and the populace held varying views on this matter (cf. note on Matthew 5:31-32). Some, adhering to Rabbi Hillel's teachings, believed that a man could divorce his wife for any reason that displeased him. Others, following Rabbi Shammai, contended that divorce was only permissible in cases of the wife's adultery, deeming any other grounds as unlawful. By posing this question, the Pharisees sought to discern Jesus’s stance to incite opposition from those who adhered to conflicting views, particularly given the superficiality of the crowd regarding this doctrine. The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1) permits a man to issue a certificate of divorce if he finds his wife displeasing for any reason deemed inappropriate."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees approached Him with the intent to test Him. Their inquiries were not driven by a desire for understanding but rather by a wish to catch Him saying something that contradicted the law. This is why the term “tempting” is significant here. Is it permissible for a man to divorce his wife for any reason? The use of ‘man’ instead of ‘husband’ indicates that within the marriage covenant, the husband holds a dominant position as dictated by natural law, a position that has warped into a harsh authority, characterized by absolute power. \\n\\nIn the Old Testament context, this was illustrated by the practice among Jewish husbands who could dismiss their wives at will and for any reason they chose; the term αιτια here should be understood as 'reason' rather than an accusation or offense. Can a husband so casually sever the bond of marriage and leave his wife vulnerable to fate? This is the question the Pharisees pose to the Lord. They anticipate His response to be, “It is not permissible,” so that they may then accuse Him of misunderstanding the law, which states otherwise, affirming that “it is permissible.”"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees approached Him with the intent of trapping Him in His words, asking, \\"Is it permissible for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?\\" St. Chrysostom notes the irritation inherent in their inquiry; they questioned Him as if He had forgotten His teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. They sought to catch Him by suggesting that if He advocated for divorce for any cause, they could retort, \\"How then do You explain that no one should divorce except for the sake of marital unfaithfulness?\\" Conversely, if He argued against all divorces, He could be accused of contradicting Moses, who permitted a man to divorce a disliked wife without a valid reason, as explained by Blessed Theophylact.\\n\\nAmong the Pharisees, there was internal conflict about divorce: some contended that a man could end his marriage for any reason, while others maintained that divorce was only justified in cases of the wife's infidelity. The Pharisees believed that whichever position Jesus took, those holding the opposing view would rise against Him, which was precisely what His adversaries desired. It is important to remember that the Lord was traveling through Herod's territory, where Herod had executed John the Baptist due to John’s outspoken condemnation of Herod's unlawful remarriage. The Pharisees hoped that if Jesus spoke against divorce, He could be accused similarly to John. Yet, they underestimated Him, as the Lord addressed the matter with wisdom by referencing Scripture."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus discusses topics of marriage, divorce, and celibacy, specifically virginity. The inquiry posed by the Pharisees and the follow-up question from the disciples prompted Jesus to clarify the permanence of marriage and the calling to celibacy. He affirms the inherent nature of marriage's indissolubility and addresses the notion of divorce in cases of infidelity, as elaborated in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:31-32)."}]}
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