Bible Strands
Matthew 5:31
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples and the surrounding crowds during the Sermon on the Mount, placing this statement between warnings about bodily sacrifice and his own ruling on divorce. He speaks as the authoritative interpreter of the Law, contrasting prior tradition with his direct teaching.
The words — The phrase Ἐρρέθη (Errethē) translates literally as “It was said,” marking Jesus’ citation of a prior legal or traditional statement. The verb ἀπολύσῃ (apolusē) means “may divorce” or “puts away,” establishing the conditional trigger for the required certificate.
The thread — This regulation traces back to Deuteronomy 24:1, where Moses permits a man to write a certificate of divorce upon finding indecency. Jesus later addresses the same Mosaic provision in Matthew 19:7, and Jeremiah 3:1 uses the practice to illustrate covenant unfaithfulness.
Why it lands — The text records a historical legal requirement before Jesus introduces his stricter standard in the following verse. It demands the reader recognize that Scripture’s baseline regulations are being reevaluated by Christ’s direct teaching, not discarded without reason.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 3:1 “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 24:1 If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
- Matthew 19:7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
- Matthew 19:3 Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
- Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired.