Matthew 19:10

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

Matthew 19:10 in Other Translations

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry."

10 Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!”

10 Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?"

10 The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.

10 The disciples said to him, "If that is the only reason a man can use to divorce his wife, it's better not to get married."

10 His disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it's better not to marry!"

10 The disciples said to him, "If that's the way it is between a husband and wife, it is better not to get married."

Matthew 19:10 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 19:10

His disciples say unto him
Being surprised at this account of things, it being quite contrary to what they had been taught, and very different from the general practice and usage of their nation:

if the case of a man be so with his wife;
if they are so closely joined together in marriage; if they are, as it were, one flesh, or one body, that a man's wife is himself: that the bond between them is so inviolable, that it is not to be dissolved, but in case of adultery; that if a separation be made by a bill of divorce, in any other case, and either party marry again, they are guilty of adultery; if a man cannot part with his wife lawfully, provided she be chaste, and is faithful to his bed, let her be what she will otherwise, though ever so disagreeable in her person, and troublesome in her behaviour; though she may be passionate, and a brawler; though she may be drunken, luxurious, and extravagant, and mind not the affairs of her family, yet if she is not an adulteress, must not be put away:

it is not good to marry;
it would be more expedient and advisable for a man to live always a single life, than to run the risk of marrying a woman, that may prove very disagreeable and uncomfortable; to whom he must be bound all the days of his or her life, and, in such a case, not to be able to relieve and extricate himself. This they said under the prejudice of a national law and custom, which greatly prevailed, and under the influence of a carnal heart.

Matthew 19:10 In-Context

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”