Today we begin a multi-week study on one of the most sensitive and controversial topics in Scripture: divorce and remarriage. I’ve taught on marriage before, but as I’ve grown in understanding the Word, I’ve realized some things I once held as absolute truth simply aren’t. My goal isn’t to push one view—I’ll present all sides of the argument, including mine, with Scripture as the final authority. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Not man. Not tradition. Not denomination.
“Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Not man, not religion, not denomination.”
We’re not covering every verse today—this is an introduction. We’ll compare key passages, especially in the Gospels and the Torah, and next week we’ll dive deep into Matthew 5, Matthew 19, and Deuteronomy 24.
A Word Before We Begin
I am not advocating for divorce. From Genesis to Revelation, God hates the breaking of covenant. Yeshua (Jesus) and Paul consistently call couples to stay together. Even the Father, in His relationship with Israel, works tirelessly to preserve the marriage—though He does say, “I gave her a certificate of divorce” (Jer. 3:8). More on that later.
This teaching will touch real lives—friends, family, leaders, believers. Nearly every person knows someone who’s been divorced or remarried. There’s gray area. There’s pain. So I’ll speak carefully—but truthfully.
The Modern Context: No-Fault Divorce
Before 1969, divorce in the U.S. was rare and heavily restricted. In the 1930s, you could only divorce for adultery (sometimes abuse or neglect). People even faked affairs—renting hotel rooms, hiring private investigators, staging photos—just to get court approval.
Then came Ronald Reagan and the No-Fault Divorce Law (1969). Suddenly, you could divorce for any reason—or no reason. Rates skyrocketed and have never come down.
Today? Divorce is everywhere. Remarriage usually follows. This isn’t just a “world” problem—it’s in our congregations, our families, our mirrors.
Where the Controversy Begins: Luke 16:18
Let’s start with the verse many use to say remarriage is always adultery:
Luke 16:18 (ESV)
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
King James says “putteth away” — old language. Today we say divorce. Clear enough.
But wait—how is divorce itself adultery?
If divorce ends the marriage (breaks the contract), how can remarriage be adultery?
Think of a cell phone contract: stop paying → service ends → contract broken. Same with marriage, right?
Or… maybe not.
Context Matters: Luke 16 Isn’t the Full Story
Luke 16:14–18 is a snippet. The Pharisees are sneering at Yeshua over money. He says the Law doesn’t pass away—then drops verse 18.
But look at the NIV footnote (little “g”):
→ Matt. 5:31–32, 19:9; Mark 10:11; Rom. 7:2–3; 1 Cor. 7:10–11
These verses are linked. We’ll get to all of them. But today: Gospels + Torah.
Matthew Adds a Key Exception
Matthew 5:31–32 (ESV)
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality (porneia), makes her commit adultery…”
Porneia = Greek root of “pornography.” Sexual sin.
Side-by-side:
| Luke 16:18 | Matthew 5:32 |
|---|---|
| Divorces + remarries → adultery | Except porneia, makes her commit adultery |
| Marrying divorced woman → adultery | Same |
Matthew was a disciple (eyewitness). Luke got secondhand info. Matthew gives more detail—including an exception.
The Pharisees’ Trap: Mark 10 & Matthew 19
Mark 10:2–9
Pharisees: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
Yeshua: “What did Moses command?”
Pharisees: “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce.”
Yeshua: “Because of your hardness of heart… but from the beginning, ‘male and female,’ ‘the two shall become one flesh.’ Let not man separate.”
Note: Yeshua quotes the Septuagint (“the two”)—not Masoretic (“they”). This shuts down polygamy arguments.
Then privately to disciples (v.10–12):
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
No exception here. But wait…
Matthew 19: The Full Question
Matthew 19:3
“Is it lawful to divorce for any and every reason?”
Ah! Now we see the real debate. Not “Can you divorce?” but “Can you divorce for any cause?”
Yeshua answers with creation, then:
v.9 – “Whoever divorces his wife, except for porneia, and marries another, commits adultery.”
If divorce is for sexual immorality → NOT adultery.
So What Does the Torah Say?
The Pharisees said, “Moses allowed it.” Let’s check.
Deuteronomy 24:1–4 (ESV)
“When a man takes a wife… if she finds no favor… because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce… and she departs…
And if she goes and becomes another man’s wife…
Then her former husband… may not take her again…”
Key points:
- Divorce ends the marriage.
- Remarriage is legitimate (second marriage not called adultery).
- Second husband can divorce or die—both end marriage.
- First husband is former—contract broken.
- First husband taking her back = abomination.
Israel had divorce rights for women—unheard of in ancient Near East. Certificate protected her from being reclaimed.
Deuteronomy 22:13–19
Man marries, accuses wife of not being virgin. If false → he pays fine and “may not divorce her all his days.”
Why say that if divorce is never allowed?
Numbers 30:9
“But any vow of a widow or divorced woman… shall stand.”
Divorced woman = widow in authority. No husband over her.
Leviticus 21:7, 13–14
- Priests: Cannot marry divorced woman, prostitute, defiled.
- High Priest: Cannot marry widow or divorced—must be virgin.
→ Average Israelite could marry divorced/widowed (e.g., Rahab, Hosea).
So What’s the Answer?
| Question | Torah | Yeshua |
|---|---|---|
| Can you divorce? | Yes (Deut. 24) | Yes, but hard hearts (Matt. 19:8) |
| Can you remarry? | Yes | Yes, if divorce valid (porneia) |
| Is remarriage always adultery? | No | No—only if invalid divorce |
Luke & Mark give partial pictures.
Matthew + Torah = full context.
Next Shabbat: Part 2
- Deep dive: Matthew 5, 19 + Deuteronomy 24
- Then: Prophets, Paul (Romans 7 is not about remarriage!)
Final Exhortation
I’m not saying “get divorced.”
I’m saying: Read the Word for yourself.
“Test everything. Hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thess. 5:21
Be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11).
If this challenges you—good. Search the Scriptures.
Yehovah bless you and keep you
Yehovah make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
Yehovah lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
Questions? Comments? Prayer requests?
Leave them below or join us live next Shabbat.
Blessings,
Javier Holguin
Word of Truth Fellowship 
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