Mark 10:12

Mark 10:12, in plain English

And Jesus added, 'If a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she also commits adultery.' The standard is the same for both.

Why it's here

God's standard for faithfulness doesn't have a double standard. What applies to one partner applies equally to the other.

Who's speaking

Jesus applies the same principle to both spouses.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus didn't let anyone off the hook. Marriage faithfulness isn't just the husband's responsibility or just the wife's — it belongs to both, equally.

The scholarly reading

The inclusion of a wife divorcing her husband reflects Roman legal reality (where women could initiate divorce) rather than Jewish law, suggesting Mark's audience includes Gentile readers.

Language and setting

This verse demonstrates Mark's adaptation of Jesus' teaching for a Greco-Roman context where women had legal standing to divorce, extending the principle of marital fidelity to both sexes.

Voice

Jesus extends the teaching to cover the wife's initiative as well.

Significance

Jesus extends the principle symmetrically: a woman who divorces and remarries is equally accountable. The standard of faithfulness applies to both parties — a principle of radical equality.

10When they were back inside the house, the disciples asked Jesus about this matter.

11So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.

12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

13Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Read all of Mark 10 — Jesus redefines greatness. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give His life as a ransom.