Mark 10:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Pharisees answer that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.
What Does Mark 10:4 Mean?
They point to Deuteronomy 24, where Moses required a written certificate before a wife could be dismissed. That document set legal limits on a husband's power and gave the woman proof of her freedom. Notice their own word: Moses suffered it, that is, permitted it.
They quote a concession as though it were a commandment. Jesus is about to draw the line they have blurred, the difference between what God tolerates in a hardened world and what God intended from the beginning. Permission that limits damage is not the same as blessing.
Mark 10:4 in the Original Language
apostasion (ἀποστάσιον), 'divorcement' -- a formal certificate of release from marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 10:4
What does Mark 10:4 mean?
The Pharisees answer that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.