Matthew 5:31

Berean Standard Bible

It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

King James Bible

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

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Matthew 5:31, nestled within the Sermon on the Mount, is a verse that carries profound weight, not only for its immediate teaching but for the way it situates itself within the broader ethical and spiritual framework of Jesus’ message. The verse states, in the context of the New International Version, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’” At first glance, this appears to be a straightforward reference to the Mosaic Law, specifically Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which permitted a man to divorce his wife by providing her with a written document of separation. However, as with much of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is not merely reciting or affirming the Law but reinterpreting it, pushing his listeners to grapple with the deeper intentions of God’s commands and the heart’s orientation toward righteousness.

To understand the depth of this verse, we must first consider its placement in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is addressing a crowd of Jewish listeners steeped in the traditions of the Torah, where divorce was a regulated but permitted practice. The certificate of divorce, as referenced in Deuteronomy, was a legal mechanism that provided some protection to the woman, ensuring she could remarry without being accused of adultery. It was a concession to human realities, a way to manage the breakdown of relationships in a patriarchal society where women had limited agency. Yet, Jesus introduces this teaching immediately after addressing adultery and lust in verses 27-30, signaling that his concern is not merely with legal technicalities but with the moral and spiritual condition of the heart.

What Jesus is doing here, as he does throughout this section of the Sermon, is elevating the conversation beyond the letter of the Law to its spirit. The phrase “It has been said” is a rhetorical setup, a way of acknowledging the prevailing interpretation of the Law while preparing to offer a corrective or deeper insight. In the verses that follow (5:32), Jesus goes on to say that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. This expansion reveals that verse 31 is not a standalone statement but a bridge to a more radical teaching on the permanence of marriage and the seriousness of human relationships in God’s eyes.

The cultural context of first-century Judaism is critical here. Divorce was a debated issue among Jewish scholars, with two prominent schools of thought: the school of Shammai, which allowed divorce only for serious offenses like adultery, and the school of Hillel, which permitted it for far less substantial reasons, such as a wife burning a meal or simply losing her husband’s favor. By referencing the certificate of divorce, Jesus is stepping into this debate, not to side with one school over the other but to transcend the argument entirely. His teaching challenges the casual approach to divorce that had become normalized, particularly under the more lenient interpretations. The certificate, while a legal safeguard, had become a tool for men to dissolve marriages with relative ease, often leaving women vulnerable to social and economic hardship. Jesus’ words push against this, calling his listeners to recognize the gravity of marriage as a covenantal bond, not a contract to be terminated at whim.

At the heart of this teaching is a concern for justice and compassion, particularly for the vulnerable. In a society where women were often economically dependent on men, divorce could leave a woman destitute, with little recourse for support. By emphasizing the consequences of divorce—causing the wife to become an adulteress—Jesus highlights the ripple effects of such decisions, not only on the individuals involved but on the community as a whole. This aligns with the broader themes of the Sermon on the Mount, where righteousness is not about adhering to external rules but about embodying God’s love, mercy, and justice in relationships. Jesus is urging his followers to consider the human cost of their actions, to see the person behind the legal provision.

Moreover, this teaching reflects Jesus’ broader mission to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). He is not abolishing the Mosaic provision for divorce but reframing it in light of God’s original intention for marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24, where a man and woman become “one flesh.” Divorce, in this light, is not just a legal act but a tearing apart of what God has joined together, a disruption of a sacred unity. By tying divorce to the issue of adultery in the subsequent verse, Jesus underscores the seriousness of breaking this bond, suggesting that it is not merely a private matter but a spiritual one with implications for one’s relationship with God.

Theologically, this passage invites reflection on the nature of covenant. Marriage, in the biblical worldview, is a reflection of God’s covenantal relationship with humanity—faithful, enduring, and rooted in mutual commitment. Just as God does not abandon His people despite their failings, Jesus calls his followers to approach marriage with a similar steadfastness. This is not to say that divorce is never permissible—Jesus acknowledges an exception for sexual immorality—but rather that it should never be undertaken lightly or selfishly. The heart of the matter is the heart: Are one’s actions aligned with God’s desire for love, fidelity, and the flourishing of human relationships?

For contemporary readers, this verse raises challenging questions about how to apply Jesus’ teaching in a vastly different cultural context. Modern societies have diverse views on marriage and divorce, often framed in terms of individual rights and personal fulfillment rather than covenantal obligations. Yet, Jesus’ words continue to provoke reflection on the deeper principles at play: the value of commitment, the protection of the vulnerable, and the call to live with integrity in our relationships. While the legal and social structures of divorce have changed, thetum, the moral weight of Jesus’ teaching remains relevant. It challenges us to consider how our decisions affect others and to strive for a righteousness that surpasses external compliance, seeking instead the transformation of the heart.

This verse also invites us to wrestle with the tension between grace and accountability. Jesus’ teaching is not a rigid rulebook but a call to a higher standard of love and responsibility. In a world where relationships are often fragile, his words remind us to approach them with the seriousness and care they deserve, reflecting the faithful, covenantal love of God Himself.

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us into the fellowship of His eternal love and bound us together as one body through His Spirit. I write to you, beloved, not as one who stands above you, but as a fellow servant, compelled by the Spirit to reflect on the words of our Savior in Matthew 5:31, where He declares, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’” These words, spoken on the mount, are no mere echo of the Law of old, but a divine summons to a righteousness that pierces the heart, a call to embody the covenantal love of God in the sacred bonds of human relationships. Let us, therefore, ponder together the weight of this teaching, that we may walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called, reflecting the glory of Him who is faithful and true.

In the days of Moses, the Law permitted a man to issue a certificate of divorce, a provision rooted in the hardness of human hearts, a concession to a world marred by sin, where relationships falter and covenants are broken. Yet our Lord Jesus, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, does not merely recite this statute but lifts our gaze to the eternal purposes of God. He speaks not to affirm the ease of dissolving what God has joined but to unveil the deeper truth: marriage is a holy covenant, a living parable of God’s unbreakable love for His people. Just as the Father has bound Himself to us through the blood of Christ, never forsaking us despite our waywardness, so too are we called to mirror this steadfast love in our marriages, to cling to one another as one flesh, united by the Spirit in a bond that reflects the divine mystery of Christ and His Church.

Let us not be deceived, beloved, by the spirit of this age, which treats marriage as a contract of convenience, easily discarded when feelings fade or trials arise. The world around us champions self-fulfillment over self-sacrifice, urging us to prioritize our desires above the vows we have made before God. Yet Jesus’ words challenge this fleeting wisdom, calling us to a higher standard, one that transcends the legalities of certificates and courts. The certificate of divorce, permitted in the Law, was a guardrail for a broken world, a means to protect the vulnerable in a society where women could be cast aside with little recourse. But Christ, who came to make all things new, bids us look beyond such provisions to the heart of God’s design: a union that endures, rooted in mutual love, forgiveness, and the relentless pursuit of one another’s good.

Consider, dear friends, the gravity of what Jesus implies in this teaching. To divorce without just cause, to sever what God has woven together, is not merely a private act but a wound to the very image of God’s covenant with us. It is to step away from the reflection of His faithfulness, to choose the path of expediency over the way of the cross. For is not marriage, in its essence, a call to die to self? Is it not a daily opportunity to embody the love of Christ, who laid down His life for His Bride, the Church? When we vow to love and cherish, we are not merely promising affection but pledging ourselves to a lifelong journey of grace, where we bear with one another’s weaknesses, forgive as we have been forgiven, and seek reconciliation even when the road is hard.

Yet let us not hear these words as a burden too heavy to bear, for our Lord is not a taskmaster but a Savior who walks with us. He knows the frailty of our hearts, the temptations we face, and the wounds we carry. His teaching on divorce is not a cold decree but a merciful invitation to align our lives with the kingdom of God, where love is not a fleeting emotion but a resolute commitment. In the verses that follow, Jesus acknowledges an exception for sexual immorality, recognizing that sin can fracture even the most sacred bonds. But even here, His words are not an endorsement of hasty separation but a call to discernment, to weigh such decisions with fear and trembling before the God who sees all things.

To you who are married, I urge you, by the mercies of God, to guard your hearts and your vows. Let your love be a testimony to the world, a beacon of God’s faithfulness in an age of broken promises. When trials come—and they will—lean into the grace of Christ, who strengthens you to love beyond your own capacity. Seek counsel from the wise, pray without ceasing, and surround yourselves with the community of believers, who will uphold you in times of weakness. To those who are single, know that your calling is no less sacred, for you too are part of the Bride of Christ, invited to live out covenantal love in your relationships with others, reflecting the same self-giving devotion that marriage signifies.

And to those among you who have known the pain of divorce, whether by your choice or another’s, hear this: the gospel is greater than your past. Our Savior, who bore our sins on the cross, does not condemn you but offers you His healing and restoration. The God who makes all things new can redeem even the deepest wounds, weaving your story into His greater narrative of grace. Do not hide from His presence or from the fellowship of His people, for in the body of Christ, you are never alone. Let His love define you, not your failures, and let His Spirit guide you into a future where your life glorifies His name.

Beloved, the world watches us, and in our marriages, our friendships, our very lives, we are called to be salt and light. The teaching of Jesus in this verse is not a rule to bind us but a vision to inspire us—a vision of relationships that mirror the eternal love of God, who never lets us go. Let us, therefore, press on toward this high calling, not in our own strength but in the power of the Spirit, who equips us to love as Christ loves. May our homes be sanctuaries of grace, our commitments a reflection of God’s covenant, and our lives a living doxology to the One who is faithful forever.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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O God of eternal covenant, Father of all mercies, Son who binds us to Your heart through the cross, and Spirit who seals us in Your unbreakable love, we come before You with hearts humbled and open, seeking Your grace to live as those redeemed by Your boundless faithfulness. You are the God who spoke light into darkness, who formed humanity to reflect Your glory, and who ordained marriage as a sacred sign of Your enduring commitment to Your people. As we meditate on the words of Your Son, our Savior, who declared, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce,’” we stand in awe of Your call to a righteousness that surpasses the letter of the Law, a righteousness rooted in the very heart of Your love. We lift our voices to You, O Lord, not in our own strength but in the confidence of Your mercy, asking that You shape us into a people who mirror Your covenantal fidelity in all our relationships.

Forgive us, O God, for the ways we have fallen short of Your vision for love and commitment. In a world that so often treats vows as fleeting and relationships as disposable, we confess that we have been swayed by the currents of convenience, seeking our own comfort over the self-giving love to which You call us. You have shown us, through the words of Jesus, that marriage is more than a contract—it is a holy bond, a reflection of Your union with Your Church, a living testament to the unity of Christ and His Bride. Yet we have, at times, treated this sacred gift lightly, allowing hardness of heart to fracture what You have joined. Cleanse us, we pray, from selfish motives, from impatience, from the pride that blinds us to the needs of those we have promised to cherish. Renew in us a spirit of humility, that we may love as You love, with a steadfastness that endures through trial and time.

We pray for those among us who are married, O Lord, that You would strengthen their unions with the grace of Your Spirit. Where there is strain, bring healing; where there is misunderstanding, grant wisdom; where there is weariness, pour out Your sustaining power. May their homes be sanctuaries of Your presence, where forgiveness flows freely, where patience is a daily offering, and where love is a flame kindled by Your Spirit. Guard their hearts against the temptations that seek to unravel what You have woven together, and let their marriages shine as beacons of Your faithfulness in a world desperate for hope. For those who face the pain of broken relationships, whether through infidelity, betrayal, or irreconcilable wounds, we ask for Your tender mercy. You, O God, are near to the brokenhearted, and Your compassion knows no end. Wrap them in Your love, restore their hope, and guide them into paths of peace, that they may know they are never forsaken.

For those who are single, O Holy One, we lift our prayers, asking that You fill their lives with the richness of Your presence. May they know that their calling is no less sacred, that their lives are a canvas for Your covenantal love, painted through friendships, service, and devotion to Your kingdom. Let them find in Your Church a family that upholds them, and in Your Spirit a strength that sustains them. Teach us all, married and single alike, to see our relationships as opportunities to reflect Your glory, to embody the self-sacrificing love of Jesus, who laid down His life for us. May we be a people who honor commitments, who pursue reconciliation, and who seek the flourishing of those around us, knowing that every act of love is a participation in Your eternal purposes.

O God, who sees the end from the beginning, we pray for a world that groans under the weight of brokenness. Where marriages are strained by the pressures of this age, where families are torn by conflict, where the vulnerable are cast aside, we ask for Your kingdom to break through. Use Your Church, O Lord, as an instrument of Your grace, a community that models the beauty of covenantal love. May our lives testify to the truth that You are a God who keeps His promises, who never abandons His people, and who makes all things new. Transform our hearts, that we may not cling to the concessions of a fallen world but aspire to the righteousness of Your kingdom, where love is perfected and unity is restored.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom, who loved us to the end, who bore our sins and carried our sorrows, and who intercedes for us at Your right hand. By Your Spirit, empower us to walk in the way of the cross, to love with the fervor of Your heart, and to live as those who belong to Your eternal covenant. To You, O God, be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.