Mark 10 2

Mark 10:2 kjv

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

Mark 10:2 nkjv

The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.

Mark 10:2 niv

Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

Mark 10:2 esv

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

Mark 10:2 nlt

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 2 Meaning

Mark 10:2 presents the encounter where the Pharisees approach Jesus with a question about the legality of a man divorcing his wife. Their intent, explicitly stated by the evangelist Mark, is to test or entrap Jesus, not to seek genuine understanding. The verse thus introduces a pivotal teaching moment where Jesus transcends the legalistic debate to reveal God's original design for marriage.

Mark 10 2 Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching on humility and service, setting up a sharp contrast between Jesus' Kingdom values and the legalistic, adversarial approach of the Pharisees. Jesus and His disciples are moving from Galilee into Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River in Perea (or "across the Jordan"), en route to Jerusalem for the final time. This geographical context is significant as it's outside the direct jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, allowing for a public theological debate.

The historical and cultural context is crucial. Jewish society at the time permitted divorce based on Deut 24:1. However, two prominent rabbinical schools, Hillel and Shammai, held differing interpretations of "some indecency" (ervat davar). The Hillel school was very liberal, allowing divorce for nearly any reason (e.g., burning a meal, a man finding a more beautiful woman). The Shammai school was much stricter, generally permitting divorce only for serious sexual misconduct (e.g., adultery). The Pharisees' question was designed to force Jesus to side with one school or the other, or to contradict Mosaic Law, thereby discrediting Him or exposing Him to legal danger. It was not a sincere theological inquiry but a trap (tempting him) intended to reveal perceived flaws in His teachings or character.

Mark 10 2 Word analysis

• And: Links this confrontational encounter directly to Jesus' preceding teachings, suggesting continuous opposition.

• the Pharisees: (Greek: Pharisaioi, Φαρισαῖοι) – A prominent religious and political Jewish party known for their strict observance of the Mosaic Law, both written and oral. They frequently opposed Jesus, challenging His authority and interpretations of the Law.

• came to him: Implies an intentional, purposeful approach, signifying they sought Him out with a specific agenda rather than a casual encounter.

• and asked him: Signifies a formal interrogation or challenge, underscoring their confrontational purpose.

• Is it lawful: (Greek: exestin, ἔξεστιν) – This verb means "is it permitted," "is it within bounds," or "is it lawful according to the law." It frames the question in terms of legal permissibility under the Torah, specifically Mosaic Law.

• for a man: Reflects the patriarchal societal structure where the prerogative and legal right of divorce resided almost exclusively with the husband.

• to put away: (Greek: apolysai, ἀπολῦσαι) – This verb means "to loose from," "to dismiss," "to send away." In this context, it is the standard legal term for divorce, indicating the dissolution of the marital bond.

• his wife: (Greek: gynaika, γυναῖκα) – Refers to the female spouse, the recipient of the man's action in divorce.

• tempting him: (Greek: peirazontes, πειράζοντες) – From the verb peirazo, which can mean "to test," "to try," or "to prove." In this hostile context, it means "to test with malicious intent," "to try to ensnare," or "to provoke." It clearly reveals their underlying motive: to trap Jesus in His words, likely to accuse Him of defying Moses or contradicting Jewish legal tradition.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The Pharisees came to him, and asked him... tempting him": This entire phrase immediately establishes the adversarial nature of the encounter. It signals that the Pharisees are not seeking spiritual truth or wisdom but are engaged in a strategic attack to undermine Jesus' authority and discredit Him. Their question is a veiled trap.
  • "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?": The question's formulation highlights the focus on legal permissibility rather than the divine institution of marriage or its spiritual implications. It challenges Jesus to take a stand on a highly contentious legal and social issue within Judaism, where either a strict or lenient answer could alienate significant groups or be used against Him.

Mark 10 2 Bonus section

The brevity of Mark's account here, compared to Matthew's parallel (Matt 19:3-9), is noteworthy. Mark's Gospel generally presents Jesus as more dynamic and authoritative, often skipping detailed legal arguments. The absence of the "exception clause" concerning porneia (sexual immorality), which appears in Matthew's version, makes Mark's presentation of Jesus' stance on divorce appear absolute. This may reflect the different target audiences (Mark for a Roman Gentile audience, Matthew for Jewish Christians) or Mark's emphasis on the fundamental, uncompromised teaching of Jesus about the sanctity of marriage from creation.

Furthermore, the topic of divorce in Perea held added significance. It was in Perea that John the Baptist had recently been imprisoned and later executed by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Mk 6:17-18). The Pharisees' question might therefore also have been an attempt to bait Jesus into a similarly dangerous confrontation with the ruling authorities.

Mark 10 2 Commentary

Mark 10:2 sets the stage for one of Jesus' most significant and counter-cultural teachings on marriage and divorce. The Pharisees, masters of legalistic interpretation and religious entrapment, seek to exploit the deep division within Jewish thought on divorce, particularly concerning Deut 24:1. By asking "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?", they force Jesus into a dilemma: endorse the lax view of Hillel (which many practiced), endorse the strict view of Shammai (which many would find burdensome), or seemingly contradict Moses' Law (which would invite accusations of blasphemy).

However, Jesus masterfully evades their legalistic trap. His subsequent response, not directly in this verse but crucial for understanding its implication, bypasses the "lawful" debate by appealing to God's original creation intent (Gen 1-2). He redirects the focus from human-made law to divine design, from what is permissible to what is pure and intended from the beginning. This highlights Jesus' approach: He never engages on the enemy's terms when they are seeking to undermine God's deeper truth. He exposes the heart of their "tempting" and reveals the higher, unchanging standard of God's will for a lifelong, indissoluble covenant. This challenge from the Pharisees serves to reveal the profound difference between adhering to external rules and living by the Spirit of God's fundamental commands for relationships.