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 e ONE FLESH '? 6 "So they are no longer two , but one flesh . What therefore God has joined together , let no man 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 "And I say to you, whoever e divorces his wife , except for immorality , and marries another woman commits adultery ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 19:4-9
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.