blue: notes during pre-study
black: use for bible study
Mark 10:13-31
Aim: That the members will understand the permanence of marriage is God's
original design and formulates a Christian perspective of divorce.
Introduction:
 Statistics shows 50% of all marriage will end up in divorce, and 2/3 of the
remarriage will divorce again.
 Divorce and remarry are very common nowadays. As Christian, what is
your view on marriage? When should one get a divorce? Is it okay to remarry?
Transition: Today we'll look at what the bible teaches us about marriage.
Read Mark 10:1-12 (1-6, 7-12)
Ask: (v.2) What were the Pharisees trying to test Jesus on? How come
asking about divorce is a test?
 The Pharisees try to find Jesus wrong. They were trying to test to see
which side Jesus takes, okay to divorce or not okay, and whichever side he
takes, half of the people will oppose him.
 Like John the Baptist, he was beheaded because he openly criticize King
Herod for marrying his sister-in-law, Herodia. (Mark 6:17-19)
Ask: (v.3) Why did Jesus ask question instead of answering the question
directly?
 Jesus’ answer often does not match the question, but always point at the
center of the issues.
In verse 4, Jesus was pointing to Moses. It is at Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
 This is a questionable passage. “something indecent” (v.1), even Jews are
confused about the meaning.
 Some Rabbi Hillel allow husband to divorce his wife almost for any reason,
while others only allow it in the case where the wife was immoral.
Discussion: How do you define “indecent” so that will allow for divorce?
 Old Testament: indecency probably did not refer to adultery because the
adulterer would have been stoned to death instead of divorced.
 It is not a clear saying. Most likely in majority, it means nakedness, showing
of one’s body.
And there were different views of indecency.
 Conservatives claim only when a person is guilty of immorality (adultery) will
allow divorce.
Ask: (v.4) Why Moses permitted them to write a certificate of divorce?
 Moses gave that law because their hearts were harden. Just like having a
King might not be the ideal thing, but God allows them to have a king because
of their heart hardened.
 Moses was not authorizing divorce, but he set up the law to protect the
women. Moses uses this law to regulate the situation in order for any harm.
 Jesus’ explanation was that the people’s hearts were hard, and they willfully
go against God’s will  Moses set up the law.
 Having divorce is not considered as sin because it's not under the law. But
it is not the ideal situation.
Ask: How does Jesus explain to them that divorce is wrong (v.6-9)?
 God’s original design was for man and woman to leave their parents and
united to be one. Therefore, those that God has joined together let man not
separate.
 Malachi 2:14 God hates divorce
Discussion: Why a man will leave his father and mother?
 Separate from parents = emotional/dependence separation, no longer
dependent on parents because they are a new unit.
Ask: What does it mean by “two becomes one flesh”?
 United as one has physical aspect to it, but it points to a more significant
spiritual aspect.
 Jesus quotes from Genesis 2:24 and interprets that marriage should not be
separate by man.
 It is when the couple is one unit and the man will take up the leadership
role.
Read v.11-12
Another issue has been brought in, that of remarriage. Why does it say
remarriage is wrong?
 Matthew 19:1-12
 Marriage bond can only be broken by adultery; if a couple divorces not
because of adultery, in God’s eyes, the couple is still within the bond. If either
party remarries, they have committed adultery because it will be consider
extramarital affair.
Verse12: both Mark & Matthew, the Roman law allows woman to divorce her
husband.
Matthew 19:9 exception “except for marital unfaithfulness” (only appear in the
book of Matthew)
 All divorce and remarriage is committing adultery, but if divorce because of
adultery reason, it is not considered as committing adultery.
blue: notes during pre-study
black: use for bible study
* Audience of the book of Mark is Romans, and for book of Matthew is Jews.
Discussion: Does it mean if the wife committed adultery, the husband
must divorce her? What kind of situation would divorce be okay?
Domestic violence? Marital unfaithfulness? Spouse pass away? Spouse
insists on divorce?
 Divorce is not the only way to solve the adultery situation.
 With this view of permanence of marriage, if one spouse committed
adultery, the other spouse has the option of staying faithful or not. The
marriage commitment is to stay together for better or worse, so the other
spouse could keep distance for safety, but should advice with love.
 Persistent love, everlasting love = save marriage
Conclusion:
 Permanence of marriage takes priority; remarriage is not permitted under
any circumstances except adultery. But even if the spouse committed
adultery, the other spouse does not have to divorce, could use every lasting
love (stubborn love) to pull him/her back.
Wrap-up: This passage might not affect us right now, but the key point is that
God made marriage holy and we learned about the permanence of marriage.
Ending Prayer
Note:
Mark 10:13-31 (13-16, 17-20, 21-26, 27-31)
v.13 “child” = baby to 12 years old; parents want Jesus to bless them
v.14 “indignant” = angry; Jesus believes of future kingdom that last forever
should be like a heart of a child (pure and simple faith)
~ In contrast, the big “child” does not have a simple faith
v.7 “good” (pint pointing to the issue) Jesus questions the rich: “do you think
I’m God?”. Jesus also hint that he is God.
v.20 no more “good” used by rich
v.19 “don’t defraud”
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 = Mark 10:5
→ Moses allows them to write certificate of divorce
Mark: Pharisees test Jesus whether it is OK to divorce.
Deuteronomy: certificate is a protection for the woman, so she can remarry.
Because a woman could be stone to death if she remarry without divorcing the
ex-husband, for she is considered as committing adultery.
“Indecent” → nakedness
(v.3-4) needs to be serious of your own decision; have to think twice before
deciding to divorce.
Mark: Jesus explains that the law is made because of the harden hearts.
Matthew 19:9 “except for marital unfaithfulness” (only appears in the book of
Matthew)
Malachi 2:16 God mentions he hates divorce
Indecent: nakedness
The key point of this passage: the permanence of marriage
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
There were few different views of “something indecent”
- strict view: will only divorce when the woman committed adultery
- other: allow man to divorce for any reason
- John the Baptist → died because he disagreed on the King Herod marrying
Herodia (his sister-in-law)
Mark 6:17-19
No matter what Jesus says, Pharisees can find a way to find him wrong.
Moses didn't make a law for divorce, but just make a law of having a certificate
of divorce in order to protect the woman.
Just like having a King might not be the ideal thing, but God allows them to
have a king because of their heart hardened.
blue: notes during pre-study
black: use for bible study
(v.7) a man will leave his father and mother = emotional and dependence
detachment.
“the two will become one flesh” = physical aspect, point to a more spiritual
aspect. It's also a charge to man to become a leader.
Audience for Mark is for Roman, audience for Matthew is for Jews.
end