The Servant King
They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” Mark 10:4 · Berean Standard Bible
They answered, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.' They thought that settled it.
They pointed to what was allowed, but Jesus was about to show them what was intended. There's a big difference between what God permits and what God desires.
The Pharisees cite the law of Moses.
They had the letter of the law on their side. But Jesus was about to reveal the heart behind the law — and it would change everything.
The Pharisees cite Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which 'permitted' (epetrepsen) — not commanded — a certificate of divorce. Their word choice reveals the concessive nature of the provision.
The certificate of divorce (biblion apostasiou) was actually a protective measure for women, ensuring they had legal documentation of their status and were free to remarry.
The Pharisees answer Jesus' question by citing Mosaic law.
The Pharisees cite Moses' allowance for divorce, but they unwittingly use the word 'permitted' rather than 'commanded' — a distinction Jesus will exploit to reveal God's original design.
2Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired.
3“What did Moses command you?” He replied.
4They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart.
6However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’
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.
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