Jesus' Teaching on Divorce

101 And rising up thence he comes into the coasts of Judaea, and the other side of the Jordan. And again crowds come together to him, and, as he was accustomed, again he taught them. 2 And Pharisees coming to [him] asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? (tempting him). 3 But he answering said to them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses allowed to write a bill of divorce, and to put away. 5 And Jesus answering said to them, In view of your hard-heartedness he wrote this commandment for you; 6 but from [the] beginning of [the] creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united to his wife, 8 and the two shall be one flesh: so that they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. 10 And again in the house the disciples asked him concerning this. 11 And he says to them, Whosoever shall put away his wife and shall marry another, commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman put away her husband and shall marry another, she commits adultery.

Jesus Blesses Little Children

13 And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought [them]. 14 But Jesus seeing [it], was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it. 16 And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 10:1-16

Commentary on Mark 10:1-12

(Read Mark 10:1-12)

Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ's constant practice. He here shows that the reason why Moses' law allowed divorce, was such that they ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts. God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied, is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves, if God should deal with them in like manner.

Commentary on Mark 10:13-16

(Read Mark 10:13-16)

Some parents or nurses brought little children to Christ, that he should touch them, in token of his blessing them. It does not appear that they needed bodily cures, nor were they capable of being taught: but those who had the care of them believed that Christ's blessing would do their souls good; therefore they brought them to him. Jesus ordered that they should be brought to him, and that nothing should be said or done to hinder it. Children should be directed to the Saviour as soon as they are able to understand his words. Also, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children; we must stand affected to Christ and his grace, as little children to their parents, nurses, and teachers.