Matthew 19:1-5

Mat 19:1 (KJB)
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

Jesus had been safe in the area of Galilee where He had ministered for over a year but now as the time draws near for Him to go to the cross, He now travels into the coastal area of Judaea. He probably came through the region of Peraea which was east of Jordan. He had avoided Samaria by going this way and He would not return again to Galilee until after His resurrection.

Mat 19:2 (KJB)
And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

While Jesus was making His way toward Jerusalem, He was not without great crowds who followed Him. No doubt there were those who accompanied Him from Galilee and the word spread south very quickly that Jesus was heading in that direction. Jesus always took time out to give heed to the needs of the crowd and began to heal them.

Mat 19:3 (KJB)
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

As usual wherever Jesus was ministering, the Pharisees were also present and this time they were trying to trap Him by drawing Him into one of their debates. The opinions on divorce were varied and many held differing opinions on the subject. The Jews held marriage in high esteem and as a sacred obligation. There was no debate over the legitimacy of divorce because it was recognized by everyone. The big question which was being debated was for what reason or reasons could one obtain a divorce. The Jewish scholar Hillel debated that a wife who burned dinner would be sufficient cause to obtain a divorce. Thus the reasoning for divorce had dwindled to any excuse by this time and this is why they used the phrase “for every cause.” These Pharisees were either from Jerusalem or they were local religious leaders.

Mat 19:4 (KJB)
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Jesus then takes them back to the Scriptures and asks them a simple question as to whether they have read them or not? The Pharisees were very scripturally ignorant focusing only on their Talmud and other rabbinical writings but Jesus now refocuses them on the Scriptures. God created one male and one female. Both of these words in the Greek are in the singular which means God created marriage to be a monogamous relationship.

Mat 19:5 (KJB)
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

(Gen 2:24 KJV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. The phrase “for this cause” points to the fact that God made them male and female. A man is to leave his mother and father and in marriage is to cleave to his wife. The word “leave” means a full and total departure” The word “cleave” carries with it the meaning of “join, to unite, or adhere to.” Then a divine phenomenon takes place and that is after the man and woman are married, they have become one flesh and are no longer seen as two people. The marriage is a new and intimate relationship which takes precedence over all other family ties and that includes children. The children are not one flesh with their parents, only the parents are considered one flesh and that is why the bond must be stronger between husband and wife than parents and children.

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