Matthew 19:9 - Exposition

And I say unto you. Our Lord here enunciates the law which was to obtain in his kingdom, which, indeed, was simply the reintroduction and enforcement of the primitive and natural ordinance. Except it be for fornication; εἰ μη Ì ἐπι Ì πορνει ì ᾳ : nisi ob fornicationem (Vulgate). This is the received reading. Tregelles, Tischendort; Westcott and Hort omit ει ). The parallel passage in St. Mark (where Christ is stated to have made the remark to his disciples "in the house") omits the clause altogether. Lachmann, following some few manuscripts, has introduced παρεκτο Ì ς λο ì γου πορνει ì ας , "saving for the cause of fornication," from Matthew 5:32 . The interpretation of this verse has given occasion to acute controversy. There are some questions that have to be considered in expounding this matter.