A Fresh Look at Divorce and Remarriage, Part 5

The next passage we want to examine is found in Luke 16:18: “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."

Here Jesus goes a step further and states, that not only the man who divorces, but also a woman who divorces, and then remarries is committing adultery.

Again, notice that there are no exceptions to this rule. The two exceptions come in Matthew 5 and 19, which we will come to. But right now we just want to examine what Jesus states about divorce and remarriage in Mark and Luke.

Now what I find interesting in this passage is the latter comment Jesus made:  “he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.” 

What if this woman is the innocent party? Her husband divorced her because of some reason.  The husband says to his wife, “You know what, we are totally incompatible.  I’ve known this for quite some time now and so have you.  We’re not meant for each other.  Just so you know, I am going to file for a divorce.”

The wife says, “No, let’s see a counselor. Let’s work it out. Give it some time. Let’s set up a meeting with our pastor. We’ve been married for five years, why do you want to end it?”

Husband replies, “You want to know why? Okay, I’ll tell you. I am still relatively young. I got a few more years left in me. I want to date and seek other possible companionships that I may be compatible with. You got to understand, we are done!”

So the husband files for divorce, the wife is totally against it, praying that he would change his mind. He does not. The divorce papers are eventually signed and the marriage is ended by law.

As the innocent party, according to Jesus, if the wife finds another man and marries him, she commits adultery and so does the man she is married to.

Therefore, according to Jesus’ statement here in Luke, it doesn’t matter if you are the guilty or the innocent party, to remarry is to commit adultery.

If this is the case, then just because the law of the land states a person is divorced and free, in God’s sight, He still considers them to be married. If this was not the case, then how would it be possible to be guilty of committing adultery?

Again, keep in mind that each gospel writer has a different audience in mind.

Matthew – Jews

Mark – Romans

Luke – Gentiles

John – Christians

Note:  It is also interesting that divorce and remarriage are mentioned in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but not in John. Why? Among the Jews, Romans and Gentiles, divorce and remarriage would be an issue, but among Christians, it should not be.  John does not record anything on divorce and remarriage at all.  

Also notice the context of this passage. It occurs in the context of being a “lover of money” (v. 14), justifying yourself before others (v. 15), forcing your way into the kingdom (v. 16), and the unchangeableness of the Word (v. 17).  

Then in verse 19, Jesus launches into a story about a rich man who goes to hell and a poor man who does not. Right smack in the middle of all this, Jesus throws in the topic of divorce and remarriage.  Why?

Because God standards concerning money, pride, entrance into the kingdom, marriage, and the reality of the afterlife does not change. Jesus reinforces it all here.

The quality and commitment of one’s walk with God will be evident on the way he or she views money, material possessions, God’s Word, and marriage.

End of Part 5