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.

Matthew 19:8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.

8. He saith unto them, Moses--as a civil lawgiver.
because of--or "having respect to."
the hardness of your hearts--looking to your low moral state, and your inability to endure the strictness of the original law.
suffered you to put away your wives--tolerated a relaxation of the strictness of the marriage bond--not as approving of it, but to prevent still greater evils.
But from the beginning it was not so--This is repeated, in order to impress upon His audience the temporary and purely civil character of this Mosaic relaxation.

JFB.

Questions Related to this Verse

Where In Scripture Does It Talk About Divorce?

Where in Scripture does it mention That God is slow to anger?

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Matthew 19 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: In this chapter, we have, I. Christ changing his quarters, leaving Galilee, and coming into the coasts of Judea (v. 1, v. 2). II. His dispute with the Pharisees about divorce, and his discourse with his disciples upon occasion of it (v. 3-12). III. The kind entertainment he gave to some little children which were brought to him (v. 13-15). IV. An account of what passed between Christ and a hopeful young gentleman that applied himself to him (v. 16-22). V. His discourse with his disciples upon that occasion, concerning the difficulty of the salvation of those that have much in the world, and the certain recompense of those that leave all for Christ (v. 23-30). MHC

Outline
Jesus enters Judea. (1,2)
The Pharisees' question about divorces. (3-12)
Young children brought to Jesus. (13-15)
The rich young man's inquiry. (16-22)
The recompense of Christ's followers. (23-30)

Painted Illustration of a Pharisee During the time of Jesus

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Map of Judea in the Time of Jesus (Click to Enlarge)

Painted Illustration of Jesus Teaching Children

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Galilee
Judaea

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