Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage
Animated Explanations from BibleProject
What did Jesus actually teach about divorce and remarriage? There's a lot of confusion on the subject, and understanding the historical context helps clear up the theological confusion.
In Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9, and Mark 10:2-12, Jesus explicitly responds to religious leaders regarding the contentious debate between two rabbinic schools of thought on what constitutes valid grounds for divorce. Shammai teachers believed adultery was the only grounds for divorce, while Hillel teachers believed men could divorce their wives casually and for any reason. In these passages, Jesus challenges the notion that divorce is merely a means to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with someone else. He makes it clear: divorce is brutal and painful, and only appropriate in dire situations where the harm of staying would be worse than the harm of leaving.
It's essential to note that Jesus does not provide an exhaustive list of every legitimate reason for divorce. In Divorce in the Bible: How Jesus Responded to the Debate, BP's scholarship team explains:
"Jesus does not address other legitimate reasons for divorce and remarriage. His aim is to protect women who are being used and abused, and he is declaring that life in God’s Kingdom protects the vulnerable and ensures just treatment for all.
Especially in cases when the harm of divorce is allowed in order to prevent further harm, women need to be treated as mutual partners and not simply cast off. All of Jesus’ teaching about divorce is aimed at protecting women from men who abuse their social power."
The following videos from BibleProject will offer further insight:
If you are not familiar with BibleProject, I highly recommend you check them out. They are committed to understanding the Bible in its historical context and communicating its wisdom for the modern world. Their videos offer everything from character deep-dives, book-by-book summaries, and even topical themes. It is a great way to visualize and contextualize Scripture.
How does this video help you shift your understanding of how God views divorce and remarriage?
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about this resource
BibleProject
BibleProject helps people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. They are a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that makes free resources like videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative. They do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation.