Matthew 19:8

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.

9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.”

10 His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.
KJV
He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
WEB
He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.
ASV
He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.
DARBY
He says to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not thus.
BLB
He says to them, “Moses, for your⁺ hardness of heart, allowed you⁺ to divorce your⁺ wives; but it has not been this way from the beginning.
ÅB
Han sa til dem: «På grunn av de harde hjertene deres gav Moses dere lov til å skilles fra konene deres; men det er ikke slik det var fra begynnelsen av.
OTB
Han svarte: «Moses tillot dere å skille dere fra deres koner på grunn av deres harde hjerter, men det var ikke slik fra begynnelsen.
B1930
Han sa til dem: For eders hårde hjertes skyld gav Moses eder lov til å skilles fra eders hustruer; men fra begynnelsen av har det ikke vært således.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Malachi 2:13–14

    And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 2:24

    For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 7:12

    They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 6:16

    This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

    Read in context
  • Mark 10:5

    But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 3:15

    “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 7:7

    And Noah and his wife, with his sons and their wives, entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.

    Read in context