MPV Commentary

Farewell to Galilee (Mt 19:1-2).

Jesus finished his teachings in Galilee and departed from that region. This marked a significant period in his public ministry, though it is barely mentioned here and in the corresponding passage of Mark (Mr 10:1). Luke also notes this transition stage in Jesus' work (Lu 9:51), which relates to his departure from Galilee.

Jesus came into the boundaries of Judea beyond Jordan, specifically into Perea, the dominions of Herod Antipas. However, it is likely that a considerable time elapsed between his departure from Galilee and his arrival in Perea, during which many significant events occurred (Lu 9:51-18:15; Joh 7:2-11:54).

Great multitudes followed Jesus, and he healed them there. Mark notes that Jesus taught the crowds as was his custom (Mr 10:1), and what we now have on the subject of divorce is part of this teaching.

Divorce (Mt 19:3-12).

The question of whether a man can put away his wife for any reason was a contentious issue in Herod Antipas' dominions. Two rival schools were divided on this matter, as Jesus had previously noted (Mt 5:31).

Jesus responded to their inquiry by pointing them back to the original creation of humanity. He said, "Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female?" This refers to God's original design for marriage, where a man leaves his parents and cleaves to his wife, becoming one flesh (Gen 2:24).

Jesus emphasized that this divine appointment should not be broken by causeless divorces. He sent them back to the purpose of God, expressed through the sacred historian, that in all time one man and one woman should become one flesh through marriage.

The Pharisees responded by asking why Moses commanded a certificate of divorce if they could put away their wives for any reason. Jesus explained that Moses allowed this as a civil lawgiver because of the hardness of their hearts and their inability to endure the strictness of God's original law. This relaxation was not intended to approve of divorce but rather to prevent greater evils.

Jesus emphasized that from the beginning, it was not this way, implying that the Mosaic relaxation was temporary and purely civil in character.

Jesus then said, "I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except for immorality, shall cause her to commit adultery" (Mt 5:32). This teaching is a continuation of Jesus' previous statement on divorce.

The disciples asked if the case of a man putting away his wife was so severe that it would be better not to marry at all. Jesus responded by saying that this saying was not for everyone but only for those to whom it was given.

Jesus then explained that there are three types of eunuchs: those born with physical limitations, those made eunuchs by others, and those who have chosen to become eunuchs for the sake of God's kingdom. Paul is an example of someone who chose this state (1Co 7:7).

Jesus concluded by saying, "He who is able to receive it, let him receive it," implying that only those who feel called to this state should embrace it.