Teachings about Divorce

(Mark 10:1–12)

When Jesus had finished saying these things He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

3 

Then the Pharisees[fn] came [and] tested Him by asking“vvv Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4 

[Jesus] answered“vvv Have you not read that from [the] beginning the Creator‘made them male and female,’[fn] 5 and said,‘For this reason a man will leave [his] father and mother and be joined to[fn] his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[fn]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, [let] man not separate.”

7 

“Why then,” they asked“{did} Moses order [a man] to give [his wife] a certificate of divorce and send [her] away

8 

Jesus replied“Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But [it] was not this way from [the] beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.[fn]”

10 

His disciples[fn] said to Him,“If this is the case between a man [and] [his] wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 

“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied“but only [those] to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who vvv vvv vvv were born that way; [others] were made [that way] by men; and [still others] vvv live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The [one] who can accept [this] should accept [it].”

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