It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
MATTHEW 5:31KJVWhat does Matthew 5:31 mean?
Matthew 5:31 records Jesus mentioning an accepted teaching of his day: that a man who wants to divorce his wife should give her a written notice of divorce. This verse sets up Jesus’ response to the common practice of divorce, highlighting what people had heard taught about it.
Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, addressing how people understood the law about marriage and divorce. By quoting, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement,” Jesus points to the legal custom from the Law of Moses, which allowed divorce if a formal document was given. This sets the stage for Jesus to clarify and deepen the meaning of faithfulness in marriage in the following verses.
The Greek behind Matthew 5:31
- The word “put away” is ἀπολύω (apolyō), which means to release or send away, and in this context, it refers specifically to divorce. This word highlights that the act being discussed is not just separation, but a formal ending of the marriage relationship.
- The phrase “writing of divorcement” is βιβλίον ἀποστασίου (biblion apostasiou), meaning a certificate or document of divorce. This shows that the process was meant to be official and recognized, not just a casual dismissal.
Why Matthew 5:31 matters
- Matthew 5:31 helps clarify that Jesus is not inventing a new subject but responding to a well-known law and practice about divorce in Jewish society.
- The verse prepares the listener for Jesus’ teaching that follows, where he challenges the easy use of divorce and calls for a higher standard of faithfulness.
- Understanding this verse in context shows how Jesus often began by quoting common teachings before offering his deeper perspective, helping readers see the difference between tradition and his interpretation of God’s intent.