Verse 1 → “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and
came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;”
In chapter 18, Jesus taught the disciples a number of topics such as rank in the kingdom, avoiding stumbling blocks that lead to sin, the parable of the 99 sheep, dealing with discipline and conflict between the Jewish church, and forgiving one another. Much of this explained the authority of Peter and the other disciples within the group of Jews who repented and believed in Jesus as the Christ.
Jesus then traveled south toward Jerusalem. The phrase “beyond Jordan” refers to going toward the farther side of the Jordan. The river flows south into the Dead Sea. Remember, Jesus has made several trips to Jerusalem before, but this would be the final trip before the crucifixion.

Verse 2 → “And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.”
We truly have no idea of the number of Jesus’s miracles on earth [Jh 21:25]. Remember that these were all essential signs of the kingdom to come.

Verse 3 → “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put
away his wife for every cause?”
The word “tempt” or “tempting” is used in the Bible in a number of ways. It can mean to tempt doing evil, in the case of Satan tempting Jesus. But it can also mean to test, in the case of God tempting Abraham to sacrifice Issac. In the case of Jesus, the Pharisees were trying to entrap Jesus into going against the Mosaic Law.

Verse 4 → “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the
beginning made them male and female,”
Jesus quoted Genesis 1:27 and addressed an essential principle of creation. Humanity was created with two genders, male and female. Society depends on the roles and responsibilities of male and female. Men and women are what create the next generation and they work together to raise and protect the next generation.

Verse 5 → “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh?”
Jesus then quoted Genesis 2:24, and this verse explained that the bond between man and woman was much more than just a contract. It truly was a bond of one flesh. Both man and woman are needed in order to fulfill the purpose of humanity. At the time, Eve did not yet have a name; she was simply called woman. Adam did not even truly have a name because “Adam” is the Hebrew name for man. However, the woman became the first human with a name in Genesis 3:16,20 [Eve = kheveh → the life giver]. Adam was given the task of working the ground to provide for them.
Ultimately, the union was never about the man and woman, but it was about what they were to accomplish together. Unfortunately, many marriages are viewed through the lens of what they can get out of it.

Verse 6 → “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not
man put asunder.”
Scripture describes marriage very clearly, the man and woman are united as one. They work together as one, and nothing is to separate them. Marriage is a part of creation, Eve’s creation is understood to be on day six as well. The union of man and woman is not intended to be undone or broken.
When God made Eve, Adam didn’t scrutinize God’s creation. He wasn’t picky or disappointed by the woman. We need to be picky when choosing a spouse, but today’s society is often too picky.
Verse 7 → “They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her
away?”
It is interesting that the verbs used are in the present. It is as if in this passage Matthew wanted to present it as if it were happening at this very moment.
The Pharisees are referencing Deuteronomy 24:1. In the passage, Moses presents the portion of the Law addressing divorce. Under the Mosaic Law, a man was able to divorce his wife if he discovered she was unclean in some way. The Roman laws were much simpler, a husband and wife could divorce for any reason as long as they agreed.
This was a source of conflict between the Jewish and Roman Law. John the Baptist confronted the sins of Herodias and her illegitimate marriage to Herod. It was in violation of Leviticus 20:21, a man and his wife truly are one flesh.

Verse 8 → “He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your
wives: but from the beginning it was not so.”
Because of humanity's imperfect condition, the Mosaic Law allowed for divorce. There will be sins and wrongdoings that are more than some can handle. However, it was never God’s intention. He had joined Adam and Eve together and they were one flesh, never to be separated.

Verse 9 → “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
Jesus allowed divorce only under the instance of unfaithfulness. He did not say that unfaithfulness required divorce, but it was the only acceptable reason. God “divorced” Israel in Jeremiah 3:8.
Failure to rightly divide this verse has led to many debates and disagreements within Christanity. What is a justified reason for divorce? What about physical abuse? What about neglect or mistreatment? If the instructions of Jesus are applied to us today, a woman is not given permission to divorce her husband because of abuse.
In the Mosaic Law, women had rights within marriage [Deuteronomy 21:10-17; 22:17-19]. Certainly the court of Israel would judge accordingly under such conditions.
We are simply not under the Mosaic Law and not under such obligations. However, we would do well to keep in mind the standards put forth by Jesus concerning such matters.

Verse 10 → “His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.”
“If the case of the man…” we do not need to make Scripture say more than it does. In the situation of divorce, marriage would not be good with such an outcome. Remember, God called it “very good”.

Verse 11 → “But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.”
Jesus explains that not all can refuse marriage. Only certain men are given a call to refrain from marriage. This was likely a calling to certain individuals at this time. Perhaps God may still lead some to refrain from marriage, but for others it is their choice. However, if one chooses to be single, they should use it to serve God.

Verse 12 → “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some
eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him
receive it.”
Eunuchs often served in kingdoms as the palace administrators of the women’s quarters. The phrase primarily referred to slaves or servants who were physically made eunuchs. Daniel might have been made a eunuch. However, there is the possibility that it can be in practice and not physically. For Jewish men, being physically a eunuch would bar them from the temple.