Matthew 19:7
New International Version
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

New Living Translation
“Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked.

English Standard Version
They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

Berean Literal Bible
They say to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce and to send her away?"

King James Bible
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

New King James Version
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”

New American Standard Bible
They said to Him, “Why, then, did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?”

NASB 1995
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?”

NASB 1977
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?”

Legacy Standard Bible
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?”

Amplified Bible
The Pharisees said to Him, “Why then did Moses command us to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?”

Christian Standard Bible
“Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why then,” they asked Him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?”

American Standard Version
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

Contemporary English Version
The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why did Moses say a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?"

English Revised Version
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Pharisees asked him, "Why, then, did Moses order a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her?"

Good News Translation
The Pharisees asked him, "Why, then, did Moses give the law for a man to hand his wife a divorce notice and send her away?"

International Standard Version
They asked him, "Why, then, did Moses order us 'to give a certificate of divorce and divorce her'?"

Majority Standard Bible
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

NET Bible
They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?"

New Heart English Bible
They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce, and divorce her?"

Webster's Bible Translation
They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Weymouth New Testament
"Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her 'a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"

World English Bible
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They say to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?”

Berean Literal Bible
They say to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce and to send her away?"

Young's Literal Translation
They say to him, 'Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'

Smith's Literal Translation
They say to him, Why then did Moses charge to give a writing of divorce, and loose her?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away?

Catholic Public Domain Version
They said to him, “Then why did Moses command him to give a bill of divorce, and to separate?”

New American Bible
They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]?”

New Revised Standard Version
They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They said to him, Why then did Moses command to give a letter of separation and then divorce her?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
They were saying to him, “Why therefore did Moses command to give a writing of divorce and to send her away?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They said to him: Why, then, did Moses command us to give a bill of divorce and put her away?

Godbey New Testament
They say to Him, Then why did Moses command to give a book of divorcement, and to send her away?

Haweis New Testament
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give her a bill of divorce, and to put her away?

Mace New Testament
why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife?

Weymouth New Testament
"Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her 'a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"

Worrell New Testament
They say to Him, "Why, then, did Moses command to give her a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?"

Worsley New Testament
They say unto Him, Why then did Moses order a bill of divorce to be given, and so to put her away?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Teachings about Divorce
6So 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?” 8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...

Mark 10:4
They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

Matthew 5:31
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

Malachi 2:16
“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Matthew 19:8-9
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:5-9
But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart. / However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, ...

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 5:2
Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.”


Treasury of Scripture

They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorce, and to put her away?

Why.

Matthew 5:31
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Deuteronomy 24:1-4
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house…

Isaiah 50:1
Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

and to.

Matthew 1:19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Malachi 2:16
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

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Matthew 19
1. Jesus heals the sick;
3. answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;
10. shows when marriage is necessary;
13. receives the little children;
16. instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;
20. and how to be perfect;
23. tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;
27. and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.














Why then
This phrase introduces a question posed by the Pharisees, who were often in opposition to Jesus. The Greek word "τί" (ti) for "why" indicates a challenge or inquiry into the reasoning behind a particular teaching. The Pharisees are questioning Jesus, seeking to understand or perhaps to trap Him in His teachings. This reflects the historical context of the Pharisees' role as religious leaders who often tested Jesus' adherence to Mosaic Law.

they asked
The Pharisees are the ones asking the question. This reflects their position as religious authorities who were well-versed in the Law of Moses. Their questioning is not merely for understanding but is often a test of Jesus' authority and interpretation of the law. Historically, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the law and traditions, which often put them at odds with Jesus' teachings.

did Moses command
The reference to Moses is significant because Moses is a central figure in Jewish law and tradition. The Greek word "ἐνετείλατο" (eneteilato) means "commanded," indicating a directive or ordinance. The Pharisees are referring to Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where Moses permitted divorce under certain conditions. This highlights the historical and scriptural context where Moses' laws were foundational to Jewish life and religious practice.

that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce
The "certificate of divorce" is a legal document mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:1. The Greek term "βιβλίον ἀποστασίου" (biblion apostasiou) refers to this formal document. In the historical context, this certificate was meant to protect the rights of the woman, allowing her to remarry. The Pharisees are questioning Jesus about this practice, which was a common legal procedure in their time.

and send her away?
The phrase "send her away" translates from the Greek "ἀπολύω" (apolyo), meaning to release or dismiss. This reflects the practice of divorce in ancient Jewish culture, where a man could divorce his wife by giving her a certificate and sending her away. The historical context here is crucial, as it shows the societal norms and legal practices regarding marriage and divorce during that period.

(7) They say unto him.--The question comes apparently from the advocates of the laxer school. They fell back from what would seem to them a vague abstract principle upon the letter of the Law. Was Moses, the great lawgiver, sanctioning what God had forbidden? Would the Prophet of Nazareth commit Himself to anything so bold as that?

Verse 7. - Why did Moses then command? If, as you assert, God ordained that marriage should be indissoluble, how comes it that Moses commanded (ἐνετείλατο) us to practise divorce, and prescribed rules as to its conduct? They are referring to Deuteronomy 24:1, 2. Jesus had escaped the trap which was laid for him, and foiled them by the very words of Scripture and the plain intention of the first institution. But they see their way to opposing the authority of the great lawgiver to the dictum and interpretation of this new Teacher. It cannot be supposed, they argue, that Moses would enjoin a practice condemned by the Word of God; therefore, if you abide by your exposition, you contradict Moses. A writing of divorcement. The man who desired to divorce his wife could not effect this separation by mere word of mouth or by violent ejectment; he must have a written document formally prepared and witnessed, necessitating certain delay and publicity. In regulating the method of divorce and giving rules which prevented it from being undertaken rashly and lightly, Moses could not justly be said to have commanded it. There were also two cases in which he absolutely forbade divorce (see Deuteronomy 22:13-19; Deuteronomy 22:28, 29).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

then,”
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

they asked,
Λέγουσιν (Legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“{did} Moses
Μωϋσῆς (Mōusēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

order [a man]
ἐνετείλατο (eneteilato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1781: To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). From en and the base of telos; to enjoin.

to give [his wife]
δοῦναι (dounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

a certificate
βιβλίον (biblion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 975: A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll.

of divorce
ἀποστασίου (apostasiou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 647: Neuter of a adjective from a derivative of aphistemi; properly, something separative, i.e. divorce.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

send [her] away?”
ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 19:7 They asked him Why then did Moses (Matt. Mat Mt)
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