And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

MARK 10:4KJV
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Mark 10:4 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:4 mean?

Mark 10:4 records the Pharisees reminding Jesus that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away. This verse points to the Old Testament law that made divorce possible under certain conditions, as given by Moses.

In this scene, the Pharisees are speaking to Jesus during a discussion about divorce. They reference what Moses permitted in the Law, specifically the practice of giving a written document—often called a "bill of divorcement"—to formally end a marriage. The verse sets up the context for Jesus to respond with his own teaching about marriage and divorce.

The Greek behind Mark 10:4

  • "Suffered" (ἐπέτρεψεν, epetrepsen): This Greek word means "allowed" or "permitted." The Pharisees are not saying Moses commanded divorce, but that he made it allowable under the law.
  • "Bill" (βιβλίον, biblion): This word refers to a written document, in this case a legal certificate. The use of a written "bill" made the divorce official and public, not just a private decision.
  • "Divorcement" (ἀποστάσιον, apostasion): This term means a formal notice of separation. It highlights that the process involved a legal step, not just abandonment.

Why Mark 10:4 matters

  • Mark 10:4 clarifies that the law of Moses did not require divorce, but made a way for it to be handled in an orderly, documented way.
  • The verse shows the Pharisees focusing on what was permitted, rather than the deeper intent or ideal behind marriage.
  • This sets up the contrast between what was allowed because of human hardness and what Jesus will teach about God's original design for marriage.

Where else these words appear

“divorcement” Greek G647 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
  • Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

“suffered” Greek G2010 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

“bill” Greek G975 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
  • Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
  • Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

“away” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • 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.
  • Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.