Matthew 19:3 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:3 mean?

Matthew 19:3 describes a group of Pharisees approaching Jesus and asking him if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason, with the intention of testing or trapping him. The verse highlights that their question was not sincere but meant to challenge Jesus on a debated issue.

The Pharisees, who were religious leaders, came to Jesus during his public ministry. Their question about divorce was a hot topic among Jewish teachers, with different schools of thought about what reasons were acceptable for divorce. By asking if a man could "put away his wife for every cause," they were probing Jesus to take a side, hoping to catch him in a controversial or unpopular answer.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:3

• πειράζοντες (peirazontes, "tempting" or "testing"): This word shows the Pharisees were not honestly seeking guidance but were trying to trap Jesus in his answer, possibly to discredit him or stir up opposition.
• ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai, "to put away" or "divorce"): The Greek term here refers specifically to the act of sending a wife away, which was the legal language for divorce in that culture. The focus is on the husband's action and authority in the matter.
• κατὰ πᾶσαν αἰτίαν (kata pasan aitian, "for every cause"): This phrase means "for any reason at all." The question is whether divorce could be justified for any and every reason, not just serious offenses.

Why Matthew 19:3 matters

• Matthew 19:3 sets up the context for Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce, showing that his response is addressing a real and controversial debate of the time.
• The verse reveals that the Pharisees' motives were not pure; they were seeking to challenge Jesus rather than genuinely learn from him.
• Understanding the phrasing "for every cause" helps clarify that the issue was not about divorce in general, but about whether there were any limits on when divorce was allowed, which shapes how Jesus' answer is understood in the following verses.