Why does Jesus address divorce in Matthew 5:31? Canonical Context Matthew 5:31 sits within the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), a section in which Jesus repeatedly contrasts prevailing interpretations of the Law (“You have heard that it was said…”) with His authoritative exposition (“But I tell you…”). The goal is to reveal the heart-level righteousness expected of Kingdom citizens and to expose the superficial legalism that had eclipsed God’s intent. Addressing divorce therefore becomes an indispensable example of how the Messiah fulfills the Law (Matthew 5:17) by restoring it to its original purpose. Historical Background By the first century, marriage customs in Judea were regulated by Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which allowed a husband to give his wife a “certificate of divorce.” Two main rabbinic schools interpreted the text quite differently: Shammai required serious sexual misconduct, while Hillel permitted divorce for almost any displeasure, even a burned meal (m. Gittin 9.10). The looser view had become dominant, leaving women vulnerable and marriage covenantal fidelity diminished. Jesus addresses divorce because this laxity contradicted God’s design from creation (Genesis 1:27; 2:24) and undermined covenant faithfulness at the core of Israel’s identity. Mosaic Provision For Divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) The “certificate of divorce” (Hebrew sefer keritut) was originally a protective concession upholding a woman’s reputational and legal rights in a fallen world of hard hearts (cf. Matthew 19:8). It never celebrated divorce; it regulated it to prevent greater injustice. By Jesus’ day, however, this safeguard had been twisted into a license for serial dismissal. Matthew 5:31 recalls the wording of the Mosaic clause to correct the misconception that merely providing paperwork made the action righteous. Rabbinic Debates In Second Temple Judaism Contemporary literature—Dead Sea Scroll 11QTemple, Josephus (Ant. 4.253), and the Nash Papyrus fragment of the Decalogue—shows an intense interest in divorce regulation. Jesus steps into that debate with divine authority, exceeding even the strict Shammaite standard. Rather than elaborating exceptions, He re-anchors marriage in covenant love and permanence. Jesus’ Kingdom Righteousness Motif Jesus asserts: “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery” (Matthew 5:32). Kingdom righteousness demands internal fidelity; a certificate cannot absolve covenant betrayal. The Lord thus redefines true adultery not merely as an act but as the severing of God-joined oneness (Matthew 19:6). Protection Of The Vulnerable In a patriarchal society, a divorced woman often faced poverty and exploitation. By locating culpability with the dismissing husband (“causes her to commit adultery”), Jesus defends the weaker party and curbs male abuse of Mosaic allowance. This aligns with Yahweh’s consistent care for the overlooked—widows, orphans, and strangers (Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Malachi 2:16). Restoration Of Creation Design Quoting Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 elsewhere (Matthew 19:4-5), Jesus grounds His ethic in the created order: one man, one woman, lifelong union reflecting divine image. Addressing divorce in Matthew 5:31 is therefore about restoring Edenic intent, not adding burdens. Adultery And Covenant Faithfulness Malachi 2:14-16 indicts Israel for covenant treachery expressed through divorce. Jesus applies the prophetic tradition: dissolving marriage apart from porneia is equivalent to adultery because it breaks a covenant oath before God, violating the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). Spiritual Significance Marriage typifies God’s relationship with His people (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2; Ephesians 5:31-32). To treat the covenant lightly distorts the gospel picture. By tightening the divorce ethic, Jesus safeguards this living parable of redemption, foreshadowing the Bridegroom’s unbreakable bond with the Church. New Covenant Elevation Of Marriage Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit enables husbands and wives to embody self-giving love (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:25). Jesus’ high standard is not merely prohibitive; it is transformative, calling disciples to display the Kingdom’s restoring power. Practical Implications For Disciples 1. Examine motives: Heart-level lust or hardness precipitates divorce (Matthew 5:27-30). 2. Pursue reconciliation: Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15-17 establish a framework for repentance and restoration. 3. Guard covenant loyalty: Believers model God’s faithfulness to a watching world (John 13:35). Archaeological And Documentary Corroboration Ketubah fragments from Murabbaʿat and Masada illustrate first-century contracts specifying financial protections for wives—evidence that a certificate alone did not guarantee well-being, validating Jesus’ concern for heart-based fidelity over paperwork. Inter-Canonical Harmony Paul echoes Jesus by allowing separation only in narrow circumstances (1 Corinthians 7:10-11) and by linking marital unity to Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). The coherence across authors and decades underscores Scripture’s unified testimony to covenant permanence. Eschatological And Christological Dimensions Revelation 19:7-9 depicts the consummation of the ultimate marriage feast. Jesus addresses divorce now so that His people can anticipate that day with pure devotion, embodying the faithful Bride ready for the Lamb. Conclusion Jesus addresses divorce in Matthew 5:31 to reclaim God’s creational ideal, protect the vulnerable, expose superficial legalism, and elevate marriage as a covenantal signpost of the gospel. His words call every generation to covenant faithfulness empowered by grace, reflecting the unwavering love of the resurrected Christ for His redeemed people. |
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