Mark 10:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a metaphorical sense, this can be interpreted as follows: The doctrine acts like a husband who sows good seeds within the believer’s heart. He departs from his father, representing the teachings of wisdom, and from his mother, symbolizing eloquent language, and unites with his wife, which refers to the soul’s purpose. He adjusts himself to her needs and often embraces humble thoughts and straightforward communication. Together, they become one entity, meaning the soul recognizes that "the Word (of God) became flesh" (John 1:14), and no human reasoning can sever this bond of faith.

How can we articulate the joy experienced by spouses in a marriage blessed by the Church, affirmed through communion, consecrated by divine blessing, heralded by angels, and fulfilled by the Father? In earthly customs and laws, no sons enter into marriage without their fathers' approval. What a bond it is for two believers united in one hope, one purpose, one faith, and one service! Both are siblings in Christ, both are co-workers in His ministry; there is no separation between them in spirit or in body. Rather, they are ‘no longer two, but one flesh.’ When their bodies are united, so too are their spirits: they pray together, kneel together, fast together, instruct one another, uplift one another, and provide support for each other.

After a series of challenging questions, the Pharisees sought His permission to pose one final inquiry they had debated: Is divorce allowed? The principal rabbinical teachings of Hillel and Shammai held differing views on this matter. Hillel permitted divorce for nearly any minor infraction, while Shammai imposed stricter limitations. The Lord presented His own perspective, grounded in the fundamental and divine principles of marriage. Divorce should not occur except in cases of infidelity. What God has united, humanity should not divide. When challenged with, "How then did Moses permit it?" He explained that Moses' concession arose from the people's inability to adhere to the original law.

The inquiry posed by the Pharisees, "Is it lawful for a husband to dismiss his wife for any cause?" arose intriguingly at a time when Christ was under the authority of Herod Antipas, who had been publicly reprimanded by John the Baptist for his unlawful relationship with his brother's wife. The Pharisees anticipated that Christ would provide a vague response rather than explicitly deny the permissibility of divorce, a stance that would cause Him to contradict Himself. Furthermore, this question was debated among the rabbinic schools, with some teaching that divorce was acceptable for any reason, while others allowed it only in cases of adultery. Thus, regardless of the answer Christ provided, it was expected that it would put Him in contradiction.

The Pharisees approached Him with a challenge, asking, “Is it permissible for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” This inquiry, along with the follow-up from the disciples, prompted Jesus to clarify His teachings on the permanence of marriage and the concept of celibacy. In addressing the Pharisees, He emphasized the unbreakable bond of marriage, an idea further articulated during His Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:31-32), where He acknowledged divorce only on the ground of infidelity. Concerning celibacy, it is clear that Jesus firmly opposed the Jewish practice that allowed husbands to dismiss their wives at will. Instead, He affirmed the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment, permitting divorce solely in cases of adultery.

The narrative of Christ's dialogue with the Pharisees regarding the sanctity of marriage closely resembles that found in Matthew, though the manner of expression is presented differently, and the arrangement of certain statements has been altered. This adjustment does not, however, change the fundamental message (cf. Matt. 19:1-12). The inquiry about the legality of divorce for a husband and wife stems from the phrase "for any reason" (Matthew 19:3). The question of whether divorce is permissible was loaded, as the Law of Moses explicitly allowed for divorce under specific circumstances. Therefore, the straightforward question regarding the lawfulness of divorce lacked significance when posed by the Pharisees.