3 And certain Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, Is it right for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he said in answer, Have you not seen in the Writings, that he who made them at the first made them male and female, and said, 5 For this cause will a man go away from his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and the two will become one flesh? 6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Then let not that which has been joined by God be parted by man. 7 They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her? 8 He says to them, Moses, because of your hard hearts, let you put away your wives: but it has not been so from the first. 9 And I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife for any other cause than the loss of her virtue, and takes another, is a false husband: and he who takes her as his wife when she is put away, is no true husband to her. 10 The disciples say to him, If this is the position of a man in relation to his wife, it is better not to be married. 11 But he said to them, Not all men are able to take in this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are men who, from birth, were without sex: and there are some who were made so by men: and there are others who have made themselves so for the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to take it, let him take it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 19:3-12
Commentary on Matthew 19:3-12
(Read Matthew 19:3-12)
The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by asking whether they had not read the account of the creation, and the first example of marriage; thus pointing out that every departure therefrom was wrong. That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and kept to accordingly, which is best for our souls, and tends most to prepare us for, and preserve us to, the kingdom of heaven. When the gospel is really embraced, it makes men kind relatives and faithful friends; it teaches them to bear the burdens, and to bear with the infirmities of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace and happiness more than their own. As to ungodly persons, it is proper that they should be restrained by laws, from breaking the peace of society. And we learn that the married state should be entered upon with great seriousness and earnest prayer.