Why did Jesus teach that you can't remarry?

Question

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:11-12

It's hard to understand why this would be the case.

Sammy - I am not sure that "till death do us part' was part of the ceremony 2000 years ago. Maybe it was, who knows.

Answer 1

JESUS must have told this for the following reason. -

The idea of multiple marriage partners, be they man or woman, has been the source of much speculation and controversy. The word Polygamy alone seems to automatically bring to mind the phrases "immoral", "sinful", "dirty" and just plain "wrong". After researching the topic, considering both the pros and cons, I have come to the conclusion that I don't agree with the opinion at all.

We are taught from childhood that a marriage is sacred only unto one man and one woman, yet as the divorce rates continue to increase, I cant help but wonder how sacred marriage really is anymore. Statistics show that the majority of marital strife is due to infidelity, financial burden, and less quality time due to the demands of work. Couples around the world are faced with these situations very day with seemingly no solutions. Or is there?

What if you could help alleviate the financial burden on your family? What if you could spend less time at work and more time with your family? What if you could have help caring for and raising your family with out bringing a total stranger into your home or having to pay for expensive child care?

Well you can. Many cultures though out history have employed Polygamy with successful results. For instance, in Africa the man goes to work every day to provide an income for his family, while the wife is left to attend to the farm that is the source of their food, maintaining the house hold, caring for her children and dealing with life's daily trials. As you may have guessed there is no way for the woman to accomplish all these tasks without exhaustion. This is where Polygamy comes in. The husband takes another wife, allowing for the first to have half of the responsibilities, and in the end an "easier road to hoe" so to speak.

In many of these instances the second wife is often a close friend, sister or other immediate family member of the first wife allowing the women to live together in harmony, knowing they are all working toward the greater good of the family.

Now I know what you're thinking. "This is not Africa and therefor the situation doesn't pertain to me". But who can say, with all honesty that they wouldn't welcome the benefits of Polygamy even if it came in a different form?

I realize Polygamy isn't for everyone. From my observations it take an open mind and at the very least a deep security in the relationship to allow another into that sacred circle. But for those brave souls who decide on this track, the benefits seem well worth the effort.

As a wife who is faced with many of these issues on a regular basis, I see nothing wrong with polygamy as long as they are all willing participants.-

Answer 2

Precise legalities of divorce is a hot topic of debate with the Jewish leaders of the time. Adultery was thought to occur when remarriage occurs, but adultery was always thought to dishonour the male--women could not be dishonoured by adultery and here it is not clear whether the dishonour occurs against the woman (novel idea?) or whether the dishonour was still against the woman's family (i.e. the male of the family) which is probably more likely. It's the remarriage that causes the 'adultery' (against the male of the family).

Answer 3

He didn't. He gave very specific instruction on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and 1 Corinthians looks at it in more depth. Basically, Paul says there that divorce is awful, but may actually be the lesser of two evils. He also says that the divorcer should not remarry, but if he or she is overcome with lust, it is better to remarry than 'burn with lust'. Great book by B. Ward Powers on this called 'Divorce and Remarriage in the New Testament'.

Answer 4

A lot of the tradition was based from the Laws of Moses, and was old Hebrew law. Read up in Exodus and Deuteronomy for more details. With Jesus came the New Covenant. The marriage vows aren't in the Bible. Those are manmade.

Answer 5

that's the 8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7ull quote 8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7rom Matthew financial ruin 5: Divorce 31 “it really is been stated, ‘anybody who divorces his wi8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7e ought to offer her a certi8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7icate o8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 divorce.’[f] 32 yet I allow you to know that any individual who divorces his wi8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7e, except 8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7or marital un8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7aith8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7ulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anybody who marries the divorced female commits adultery. that's gloomy that Pastor did not know his Bible more advantageous positive. some Lutherans also enable gay marriages and gay pastors. Very unhappy.

Answer 6

Considering Jesus' tendency to interpret the law based on circumstances and intention, do you suppose that he meant 'no remarriage' under any circumstances, or that he was referring to a man who abandons his wife? The apostle Paul assumed the latter.

Answer 7

Because husband is responsible to deliver his wife to God.So wife should be serving her husband so he will be pleased & delivers her to the God,the top most mission of the life.So in case wife does not co operate entire her life,husband will not be able to deliver his wife,so he responsiblity is not fulfilled.
Same way in case wife serves & husband does not deliver his wife because of his bad acts,he has to suffer.

Answer 8

its not like that.you can divorce on several other reasons and remarry e.g if your spouce dies or i guess if your not happly married and all other avenues to salvage your marrage fail,or simply if u dont love each other

Answer 9

Because it says directly in the vows "until death do us part" meaning that only death is supposed to part you...not divorce papers.

Answer 10

I don't think Jesus would have taught that
Don't believe everything you are told

Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.
Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.
Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.
Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true


Love & Blessings
Milly