Matthew 19:3

“¶ The Pharisees also came vnto him, tempting him, and saying vnto him, Is it lawfull for a man to put away his wife for euery cause?”

1611 King James Version (KJV)




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Other Translations

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
- King James Version

{Some} Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful {for a man} to divorce his wife for any reason at all?"
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful `for a man' to put away his wife for every cause?
- American Standard Version (1901)

And certain Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, Is it right for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
- Basic English Bible

And the Pharisees came to him tempting him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
- Darby Bible

The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
- Webster's Bible

Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever he chooses?"
- Weymouth Bible

Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"
- World English Bible

And Farisees camen to him, temptynge him, and seiden, Whether it be leueful to a man to leeue his wijf, for ony cause?
- Wycliffe Bible

And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, `Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?'
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Matthew 19:3


19:3 The Pharisees came tempting him - Trying to make him contradict Moses. For every cause - That is, for any thing which he dislikes in her. This the scribes allowed.


People's Bible Notes for Matthew 19:3


Mt 19:3 Pharisees also came. As usual, ready to oppose. Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Hillel, the greatest of the Jewish Rabbis whom Jews have sought to compare with Christ, taught that almost any ground of displeasure on the part of a husband would justify divorce. He even specifies scorching the bread as sufficient cause. Josephus, the historian, says he "divorced his wife because he was not pleased with her manners".

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