Matthew 19:1-12 Bible Study Tools and Techniques Cross References: Look up other related verses using a Study Bible. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Look for first use. Resources: Use a Bible Dictionary, an ESV Study Bible, and Concordance to help you learn and study. Genres: Pay attention to the genre of the passage you are studying (history, poetry, letters, etc). Before you begin your study of the Bible, stop and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to receive the truth of His Word. Pray for humility and grace. Then read Matthew 19:1-12. Comprehension (What does it say?) 1.Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus the question they did? (See verse 3.) 2. Summarize Jesus’s initial answer (verses 4-6). 3. Why does Jesus say Moses allowed divorce? What does that say about God’s intention for marriage? 4. Why do the disciples say it’s better not to marry? What is Jesus’s response? (Eunuchs here refer to those who live a life of abstinence, whether because of a birth defect, castration, or a voluntarily single life, according to the ESV Study Bible Notes.) Interpretation (What does it mean?) 1. Jesus answers the Pharisees by quoting Genesis 2:24 and 5:2. Read these passages. Why did He go back to the creation story as the basis for His answer? 2. The Pharisees were divided into schools, and this topic was one that was hotly debated, with some Pharisees saying divorce was required if the wife was immodest or immoral, and some saying it was allowed if the wife displeased her husband in any way, and required if she was immoral. Jesus’s answer is that it is permitted in the case of sexual immorality. How does His answer show a higher view of marriage? 3. If you have an ESV Study Bible, read the notes on verse 9. What is Jesus saying about remarriage in this passage? 4. Who can you think of in the Bible who was single “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”? (See 1 Corinthians 7:8, 32 for one example.) Application (How should it change me?) 1. How does this passage inform your view of marriage? How is that different from the world’s view? 2. What does it mean that Jesus says of marriage, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate”? (verse 6) 3. Read Ephesians 5:22-33. Here we learn that marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church. Why does divorce give a false picture? 4. If you are married, take some time and pray for your spouse and your marriage. Ask the Lord if there are things you need to repent of, and take action on that. If you are single, ask the Lord to bless and use your singleness to glorify Him and make Him known. Finish your time in the Word with prayer. If you are in a healthy marriage or see healthy ones around you, thank Jesus for the picture that gives of His love for His Church. Thank Him that He is the one Bridegroom who never fails or falters. Thank God for His compassion, His love, and His grace. For Further Study: Parallel Passages: Mark 10:1-12 Luke 16:18 For more on marriage and singleness, see: 1 Corinthians 7 Ephesians 5:22-33 .