What does Jesus mean by giving a writing of divorcement?

A writing of divorcement was a legal paper a husband gave his wife to send her away. It stated that she was no longer under his authority and was free to marry someone else. In Jesus’ time, many thought that as long as this document was given, the divorce was fully right before God. Jesus shows that this paper does not change how God sees marriage. The human paper might free her in civil law, but it does not excuse a husband who sends his wife away for selfish reasons.

What does saving for the cause of fornication mean in this passage?

The phrase “saving for the cause of fornication” means “except in the case of sexual sin.” Here it covers more than what we usually call premarital sex. It includes adultery and other forbidden sexual unions that break the one-flesh bond. Jesus teaches that marriage is not to be ended at someone’s whim. But when one spouse breaks the marriage by sexual unfaithfulness, that spouse has torn the covenant, and the innocent party is not bound in the same way as in other cases.

Why does Jesus say divorcing a wife causes her to commit adultery?

Jesus says a man who wrongly sends away his wife “causeth her to commit adultery” because his action pushes her into a situation where she is likely to marry another man while the marriage bond still stands before God. The legal paper tells her she is free, but in God’s sight she is still his wife. If she remarries, that new union is counted as adultery. The husband’s selfish choice set this chain of events in motion, so he shares guilt for what follows.

Why does marrying a divorced woman count as adultery here?

In this teaching, the divorced woman Jesus is talking about has been put away for reasons other than sexual sin. Even though she has a legal paper, God still sees her as joined to her first husband. So when another man marries her, he is taking someone who is still bound to another, and that is adultery. Jesus is showing how serious it is to treat marriage lightly, and how our choices can draw others into sin, even when the law or culture says everything is fine.

What was happening with divorce practices when Jesus spoke these words?

When Jesus spoke, there was a live debate among Jewish teachers about divorce. Some said a man could send his wife away for almost any small annoyance, as long as he gave her the proper paper. Others said divorce should only happen for sexual sin. Many people treated marriage like a contract that could be ended whenever the husband wished. Into this setting, Jesus speaks very strongly. He reminds them that God’s law aims at a holy life, not just outward order.

How does this passage show God’s view of marriage?

This passage shows that God sees marriage as a deep, binding union, not just a human agreement. Husband and wife are joined by God in a way that is not meant to be broken by personal preference. Jesus’ strong words about divorce and remarriage highlight how precious faithfulness is to God. Only when one partner breaks the union through sexual sin is the bond treated as broken. The focus is on protecting the covenant, guarding purity, and taking our promises seriously before God.

How should believers today respond to Jesus’ teaching on divorce here?

Believers should let these words shape how they think about marriage and divorce. Marriage should be entered with care, seen as a lifelong promise before God, not something to leave over small frustrations. Couples should seek to guard their hearts, fight against lust, and work for faithfulness and reconciliation whenever possible. When sexual sin deeply breaks a marriage, this passage shows that separation may be allowed, but even then it should be faced with grief, humility, and a desire to honor God.

Why does this passage feel hard or strict about divorce and remarriage?

This passage feels hard because it cuts against how people often treat relationships. In many cultures, ending a marriage can seem simple if there is legal approval. Jesus reminds us that God’s standard is higher than human custom. He speaks strongly because sin in this area hurts people deeply and dishonors God. At the same time, his words sit within a larger message that calls us to purity of heart and to depend on God’s help, since none of us can live this way in our own strength.

Matt.5.31

Matthew 5:31

KJV Jesus

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

Divorce

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

But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.