Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 19:3-12

"And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful [for a man] to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made [them] from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away? He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry. But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother`s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven`s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." — Matthew 19:3-12 (ASV)

The Pharisees were eager to draw something from Jesus that they could portray as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous and sometimes complex, made so not by God's law, but by the sinful desires and foolishness of people; and often, people decide what they will do before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by asking if they had not read the account of creation and the first example of marriage, thus pointing out that any departure from it was wrong.

That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and adhered to accordingly, which is best for our souls and tends most to prepare us for, and preserve us for, the kingdom of heaven. When the gospel is truly embraced, it makes people kind relatives and faithful friends; it teaches them to bear the burdens and to bear with the weaknesses of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace and happiness more than their own.

As for ungodly people, it is fitting that they should be restrained by laws from disrupting the peace of society. And we learn that marriage should be entered into with great seriousness and earnest prayer.