Christ Commands

Scripture

Primary passage

Matthew 5:31

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’

Primary passage · World English Bible

Mark

Mark 10:2–12

2 Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. 7 For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 10 In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Unreviewed grouped account · World English Bible

Luke

Luke 16:18

18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

Unreviewed grouped account · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Treat marriage covenant with faithfulness and seriousness; do not use divorce to legitimize betrayal or disregard a spouse.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

Across these passages Jesus responds to legal debates by returning attention to God’s intention for marriage and confronting hard-heartedness.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms covenant-faithful people who reject exploitation and approach marriage, divorce, and remarriage with truth, compassion, and holiness.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

If married, take one concrete step of covenant faithfulness and honest communication. If facing separation, abuse, divorce, or remarriage, seek wise and safe pastoral counsel rather than applying the passage alone.

Discuss

Talk about it.

How does Jesus challenge the use of legal permission to avoid covenant faithfulness, and what questions require wise pastoral care?

Pray

Pray this.

Jesus, make us faithful, truthful, and compassionate. Protect those who are vulnerable, confront hard-heartedness, and give wisdom in painful marital situations.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Teach the passages in their Gospel contexts, acknowledge interpretive questions, and never use them to pressure someone to remain in danger.

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