Matthew 19:1-12

Easy-to-Read Version

Jesus Teaches About Divorce^(A)

19 After Jesus said all these things, he left Galilee. He went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. ² Many people followed him. Jesus healed the sick people there.

³ Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make him say something wrong. They asked him, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?”

⁴ Jesus answered, “Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made people male and female.’^{[a] 5} And God said, ‘That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.’^{[b] 6} So they are no longer two, but one. God has joined them together, so no one should separate them.”

⁷ The Pharisees asked, “Then why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce^[c]?”

⁸ Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for the problem of sexual sin, and marries another woman is guilty of adultery.”

¹⁰ The followers said to Jesus, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.”

¹¹ He answered, “This statement is true for some, but not for everyone—only for those who have been given this gift. ¹² There are different reasons why some men don’t marry.^[d] Some were born without the ability to produce children. Others were made that way later in life. And others have given up marriage because of God’s kingdom. This is for anyone who is able to accept it.”