Matthew 19:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
He saith
G3004
λέγει
He saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
G3754
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
4 of 20
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
πρὸς
because of
G4314
πρὸς
because of
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκληροκαρδίαν
hearts
G4641
σκληροκαρδίαν
hearts
Strong's:
G4641
Word #:
7 of 20
hard-heartedness, i.e., (specially), destitution of (spiritual) perception
ἀπολῦσαι
to put away
G630
ἀπολῦσαι
to put away
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
11 of 20
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
G746
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
16 of 20
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
Historical Context
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 regulated divorce but didn't command it. Mosaic Law protected women from arbitrary divorce by requiring written certificate and preventing remarriage to first husband after intervening marriage. Jesus clarifies this was regulatory, not prescriptive—managing sin's consequences, not endorsing divorce. 'From the beginning' appeals to pre-fall creation as normative standard.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish God's ideal from His accommodation to human sin?
- What 'hardness of heart' in yourself needs confronting?
- How should the church balance biblical ideals with pastoral care for broken marriages?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce 'because of the hardness of your hearts,' but 'from the beginning it was not so.' Divorce represents concession to sin, not God's ideal. The phrase 'hardness of hearts' (Greek 'sklerokardia'—hardness, stubbornness) indicates sinful rebellion requiring legal regulation. Reformed theology distinguishes God's perfect will (permanent marriage) from His permissive will (allowing divorce in fallen world). This verse shows that not every biblical permission reflects God's best but sometimes His accommodation to human sin.