Questions

Issue on divorce (Mk 10:1-12; Mt 19:1-11) 

(Questions for meditation) 
  1. Judging from the question raised by the Pharisees, do you think that divorce is a common phenomenon in Jesus’ times? (Matt 5:31)

  2. What makes the question of the Pharisees about divorce a temptation for Jesus?

  3. What is Moses’ command regarding the issue of divorce? (Deut 24:1-2; 22:13-21)

  4. According to Moses’ command in Deut 24:1-2, under what condition(s) do you think that the Jews could divorce their wives?

  5. What is God’s original intent for marriage in Jesus’ interpretation?

  6. Why did Jesus say that it was due to “the hardness of your heart” (v5) that Moses allowed the Jews to write a bill of divorcement?

  7. From Jesus’ sayings in Mark 10, Matt 19 and Matt 5:32, who can possibly commit adultery?

  8. To avoid committing adultery, the disciples suggested that “it is not good to marry” (Matt 19:10). Is their view the same as that of the apostle Paul? (I Cor 7:1-2,9)

  9. Please read I Cor 7:10-11. Is Paul’s view the same as Jesus’ teaching?

  10. In case marriage is affected by the conversion of a spouse, what’s Paul’s opinion about it?

  11. On what condition(s) is remarrying not considered committing adultery? (Matt 19:9; I Cor 7:39)

  12. How do you view divorce nowadays?