Matthew 19:1-12

GOD’S WORD Translation

A Discussion about Divorce and Celibacy^(A)

19 When Jesus finished speaking, he left Galilee and traveled along the other side of the Jordan River to the territory of Judea. ² Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a man divorce his wife for any reason?”

⁴ Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning ⁵ and that he said, ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one’? ⁶ So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”

⁷ The Pharisees asked him, “Why, then, did Moses order a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her?”

⁸ Jesus answered them, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you’re heartless. It was never this way in the beginning. ⁹ I can guarantee that whoever divorces his wife for any reason other than her unfaithfulness is committing adultery if he marries another woman.”

¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If that is the only reason a man can use to divorce his wife, it’s better not to get married.”

¹¹ He answered them, “Not everyone can do what you suggest. Only those who have that gift can. ¹² For example, some men are celibate because they were born that way. Others are celibate because they were castrated. Still others have decided to be celibate because of the kingdom of heaven. If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it.”