Matthew 19:6-13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:12

Verse 12 12.For there are eunuchs Christ distinguishes three kinds of eunuchs Those who are so by nature, or who have been castrated by men, are debarred from marriage by this defect, for they are not men. He says that there are other eunuchs, who have castrated themselves, that they may be more at liberty to serve God; and these he exempts from the obligation to marry. Hence it follows, that all others who avoid marriage fight against God with sacrilegious hardihood, after the manner of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:13

Verse 13 This narrative is highly useful; for it shows that Christ receives not only those who, moved by holy desire and faith, freely approach to him, but those who are not yet of age to know how much they need his grace. Those little children have not yet any understanding to desire his blessing; but when they are presented to him, he gently and kindly receives them, and dedicates them to the Father (611) by a solemn act of blessing. We must observe the intention of those who present the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:1-12

The beginning of the last journey to Jerusalem . The question concerning divorce . ( Mark 10:1-12 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:1-12

The sanctity of marriage. I. CONVERSATION WITH THE PHARISEES . 1 . Work in Peraea . The Lord hath now finally left Galilee; the restless hostility of the Pharisees had driven him from the province in which at first he had met with such great success, and which was regarded as his own country. Judaea, too, was now unsafe for him. His hour was almost come; he would work while it was day; but he would not expose himself to unnecessary danger before the time appointed. Peraea... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:1-12

The ethics of marriage. Note here a contrast: multitudes following Christ for healing, Pharisees pursuing him for mischief. Satan will be among the sons of God. Jesus turns the contradiction of sinners into instructions for his disciples. Let us consider— I. THE PHARISEE 'S QUESTION RELATING TO CAPRICIOUS DIVORCE . 1 . The occasion . 2 . The reply . II. THEIR CITATION OF THE MOSAIC CONCESSION OF DIVORCEMENT . 1 . The con cession ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:3-9

Divorce. The readiness with which the marriage tie is dissolved in some countries, and the daring questions on the subject that have been raised in England, make it important for us to see clearly how divorce should be regarded in the light of the teachings of Christ. Plainly he sets his face against any divorce except in the most extreme case. Let us consider some of the pleas for a laxer rule, and then look at the duty of resisting them. I. PLEAS FOR A GREATER FREEDOM OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:6

Wherefore ( ὡ ì στε ); so that . This follows from the quotation just given. Our Lord explains and confirms the original dictum by an assertion of his own and a general law. What God hath joined together. The institution of marriage is God's appointment. Christ says ὁ Ì , what, neuter singular, not "those whom," plural and concrete, that he may make it clear that he is here speaking in the abstract, not specially of Adam and Eve. What he enunciates is true of all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:6-7

Natural laws and human infirmities. The law of marriage must be thought of as fixed for human beings before the Fall. Natural laws are not fixed in view of man's wilfulness and sin. They remain natural laws after man has sinned; but their application and practical working are modified by the new conditions and relations which sin has introduced. God made man male and female. God designed single pairs. God proposed lifelong faithfulness of the wedded pairs. There is no natural provision made... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:7

Why did Moses then command? If, as you assert, God ordained that marriage should be indissoluble, how comes it that Moses commanded ( ἐνετει ì λατο ) us to practise divorce, and prescribed rules as to its conduct? They are referring to Deuteronomy 24:1 , Deuteronomy 24:2 . Jesus had escaped the trap which was laid for him, and foiled them by the very words of Scripture and the plain intention of the first institution. But they see their way to opposing the authority of the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:8

Moses because of ( προ Ì ς , with a view to, to meet) the hardness of your hearts; your obstinacy, perverseness. You were not honest and pure enough to obey the primitive law. There was danger that you would ill treat your wives in order to get rid of them, or even murder them. The lesser evil was regular divorce. But the enactment is really a shame and reproach to you, and was occasioned by grave defects in your character and conduct. And it is not true to say that Moses ... read more

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