King James Version

What Does Mark 10:4 Mean?

Mark 10:4 in the King James Version says “And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.”

Mark 10:4 · KJV

Context

2

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

3

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Pharisees answered, 'Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away' (Μωϋσῆς ἐπέτρεψεν βιβλίον ἀποστασίου γράψαι καὶ ἀπολῦσαι). They cite Deuteronomy 24:1's provision for divorce certificate (biblion apostasiou, βιβλίον ἀποστασίου, 'certificate of dismissal'). Notably, they changed Jesus' word 'command' (v. 3) to 'suffered' (epetrepsen, ἐπέτρεψεν, 'permitted')—tacitly acknowledging this was concession, not divine ideal. The certificate's purpose was to protect the divorced woman—providing legal documentation of her freedom to remarry without being charged with adultery. This regulation assumed divorce's reality and sought to mitigate harm, but didn't endorse divorce as good. The Pharisees' answer reveals their focus on legal technicalities rather than God's heart for marriage.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 required a written divorce certificate, protecting women from capricious abandonment without legal recourse. In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal society, divorced women faced severe economic and social disadvantage. The certificate (get in Hebrew, biblion apostasiou in Greek) provided legal proof the marriage was dissolved, allowing remarriage. Without it, a divorced woman remarrying could be charged with adultery (punishable by death, Leviticus 20:10). Moses' law thus regulated an evil practice, preventing worse evil. Jewish divorce procedure in Jesus' day involved witnesses and proper documentation. The debate wasn't whether divorce was legal (Mosaic law permitted it) but under what circumstances. Jesus would transcend this legal debate by returning to Genesis' creational norm.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the shift from 'command' to 'permitted' reveal the difference between God's ideal and His accommodation to human sin?
  2. What does Moses' protective regulation (requiring a certificate) teach about the role of law in restraining evil's harm even when it cannot eliminate evil?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
οἱ1 of 10
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 10

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπον,3 of 10

“they said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Μωσῆς4 of 10

“Moses”

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

Ἐπέτρεψεν5 of 10

“suffered”

G2010

to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow

βιβλίον6 of 10

“a bill”

G975

a roll

ἀποστασίου7 of 10

“of divorcement”

G647

properly, something separative, i.e., (specially) divorce

γράψαι8 of 10

“to write”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

καὶ9 of 10

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπολῦσαι10 of 10

“to put her away”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 10:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 10:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 24:1-4Matthew 5:31-32Matthew 19:7Jeremiah 3:1Matthew 1:19Isaiah 50:1

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