They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
They shot back at him, 'So why did Moses make it a rule that you could write up divorce papers and send your wife away?'
They're basically asking Jesus why the old law allowed divorce if marriage is supposed to be permanent.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Jesus, divorce was a hotly debated topic among Jewish religious leaders, stemming from interpretations of the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament. The Pharisees were questioning Jesus about Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where Moses allowed for a written certificate of divorce to protect women from being abandoned without proper procedure, though this was a concession due to human stubbornness rather than God's ideal for marriage. This exchange occurred during Jesus' ministry in Judea, where such discussions tested his authority and revealed deeper truths about God's original design for marital permanence.
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