Matthew 19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:4

He which made them at the beginning - When Adam and Eve were the first of human kind. Made them male and female - Merely through the design of matrimonial union, that the earth might be thus peopled. To answer a case of conscience, a man should act as Christ does here; pay no regard to that which the corruption of manners has introduced into Divine ordinances, but go back to the original will, purpose, and institution of God. Christ will never accommodate his morality to the times, nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:5

For this cause - Being created for this very purpose; that they might glorify their Maker in a matrimonial connection. A man shall leave ( καταλειψαι , wholly give up) both father and mother - the matrimonial union being more intimate and binding than even paternal or filial affection; - and shall be closely united, προσκολληθησεται , shall be firmly cemented to his wife. A beautiful metaphor, which most forcibly intimates that nothing but death can separate them: as a well-glued board... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:6

What therefore God hath joined together - Συνεζευξεν , yoked together, as oxen in the plough, where each must pull equally, in order to bring it on. Among the ancients, when persons were newly married, they put a yoke upon their necks, or chains upon their arms, to show that they were to be one, closely united, and pulling equally together in all the concerns of life. See Kypke in loco. The finest allegorical representation of the marriage union I have met with, is that antique gem... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:7

Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement? - It is not an unusual case for the impure and unholy to seek for a justification of their conduct from the law of God itself, and to wrest Scripture to their own destruction. I knew a gentleman, so called, who professed deep reverence for the sacred writings, and, strange as it may appear, was outwardly irreproachable in every respect but one; that was, he kept more women than his wife. This man frequently read the Bible, and was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:8

Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts - It is dangerous to tolerate the least evil, though prudence itself may require it: because toleration, in this case, raises itself insensibly into permission, and permission soon sets up for command. Moses perceived that if divorce were not permitted, in many cases, the women would be exposed to great hardships through the cruelty of their husbands: for so the word σκληροκαρδια , is understood in this place by some learned men. From the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:9

Except it be for fornication - See on Matthew 5:32 ; (note). The decision of our Lord must be very unpleasant to these men: the reason why they wished to put away their wives was, that they might take others whom they liked better; but our Lord here declares that they could not be remarried while the divorced person was alive, and that those who did marry, during the life of the divorced, were adulterers; and heavy judgments were, denounced, in their law, against such: and as the question... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:10

If the case of the man - Του ανθρωπου , of a husband, so I think the word should be translated here. The Codex Bezae, Armenian, and most of the Itala, have του ανδρος , which, perhaps, more properly signifies a husband, though both words are used in this sense. Our word husband comes from the Anglo-Saxon, hus and band : the bond of the house, anciently spelt housebond , - so in my old MS. Bible. It is a lamentable case when the husband, instead of being the bond and union of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:11

All - cannot receive this saying - A very wise answer, and well suited to the present circumstances of the disciples. Neither of the states is condemned. If thou marry, thou dost well - this is according to the order, will, and commandment of God. But if thou do not marry, (because of the present necessity, persecution, worldly embarrassments, or bodily infirmity), thou dost better. See 1 Corinthians 7:25 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:12

Eunuchs - Ευνουχος , from ευνην εχειν , to have the care of the bed or bedchamber; this being the principal employment of eunuchs in the eastern countries, particularly in the apartments of queens and princesses. These are they whom our Lord says are made eunuchs by men, merely for the above purpose. So born from their mother's womb - Such as are naturally incapable of marriage, and consequently should not contract any. For the kingdom of heaven's sake - I believe our Lord here... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:13

Then were there brought unto him little children - These are termed by Luke, Luke 18:15 , τα βρεφη , infants, very young children; and it was on this account, probably, that the disciples rebuked the parents, thinking them too young to receive good. See on Mark 10:16 ; (note). That he should put his hands - It was a common custom among the Jews to lay their hands on the heads of those whom they blessed, or for whom they prayed. This seems to have been done by way of dedication or... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:13

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