Matthew 19:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:7 mean?

Matthew 19:7 records a question the Pharisees ask Jesus: if divorce is wrong, why did Moses command that a man give his wife a written certificate of divorce and send her away? The Pharisees are challenging Jesus by pointing to a law from Moses about divorce.

In this scene, the Pharisees are speaking to Jesus during a discussion about marriage and divorce. They refer to a command from Moses found in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 24:1), asking why such a rule exists if divorce is not truly allowed. Their question is meant to test Jesus and to see how he interprets the law compared to their own traditions.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:7

• "writing" (βιβλίον, biblion): This word means "book" or "scroll," but here it refers to a formal written document—a certificate of divorce. The use of a written notice shows that divorce was treated as a legal, public act, not just a private decision.
• "divorcement" (ἀποστάσιον, apostasion): This term specifically means a legal document of separation. Its use highlights that the law Moses gave was about regulating divorce, not encouraging it.
• "command" (ἐντέλλομαι, entellomai): This word means "to order" or "to command." The Pharisees use it to suggest that Moses required divorce in certain situations, but the context of the original law is more about allowing and regulating it.

Why Matthew 19:7 matters

• Matthew 19:7 shows the Pharisees using Scripture to challenge Jesus, revealing how religious leaders sometimes debated the meaning and intent of the law.
• The verse highlights the difference between what the law allowed (to manage human weakness) and what God’s ideal for marriage is, which Jesus goes on to explain.
• This question sets up Jesus’ response, where he clarifies the heart behind the law and God’s original design for marriage, helping readers understand the broader teaching in this passage.