Matthew 19:3 Meaning and Explanation
“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Pharisees test Jesus with a divisive question about the grounds for divorce.
What Does Matthew 19:3 Mean?
The Pharisees approach not to learn but to trap. Their question about putting away a wife "for every cause" touches a live debate of the day, and any answer could offend powerful parties or even endanger Jesus. The wording reveals their aim: they want a controversy, not the truth.
Yet Jesus meets their scheme with Scripture and turns a snare into teaching. The verse exposes a heart that approaches God's law looking for loopholes rather than wisdom. How different to come to Christ as the crowds did, seeking healing, than as these men did, seeking to catch Him. The Lord welcomes honest questions; He is unbothered by hostile ones.
Matthew 19:3 in the Original Language
peirazo (πειράζω), 'tempting' -- to test or try, here with the aim of trapping rather than learning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 19:3
What does Matthew 19:3 mean?
The Pharisees test Jesus with a divisive question about the grounds for divorce.