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

MATTHEW 19:7KJV
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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.

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:
  • Mark 10:4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

“command” Greek G1781 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Mark 11:6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
  • John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

“writing” Greek G975 · used in 28 verses

  • Mark 10:4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill 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.

“put” 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 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
  • 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.