Matthew 19:7
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorce, and to put her away?
American King James Version (AKJV)
They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorce, and to put her away?
American Standard Version (ASV)
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her?
Webster's Revision
They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
World English Bible
They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?
Clarke's Matthew 19:7 Bible Commentary
Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement? - It is not an unusual case for the impure and unholy to seek for a justification of their conduct from the law of God itself, and to wrest Scripture to their own destruction. I knew a gentleman, so called, who professed deep reverence for the sacred writings, and, strange as it may appear, was outwardly irreproachable in every respect but one; that was, he kept more women than his wife. This man frequently read the Bible, and was particularly conversant with those places that spoke of or seemed to legalize the polygamy of the patriarchs!
A writing of divorcement - See the form of it in the note on Matthew 5:31 (note).
Barnes's Matthew 19:7 Bible Commentary
Why did Moses ... - To this they objected that Moses had allowed such divorces Deuteronomy 24:1; and if he had allowed them, they inferred that they could not be unlawful. See the notes at Matthew 5:31.
Wesley's Matthew 19:7 Bible Commentary
19:7 Why did Moses command - Christ replies, Moses permitted (not commanded) it, because of the hardness of your hearts - Because neither your fathers nor you could bear the more excellent way. 24:1 5:31, ; Mark 10:2; Luke 16:18.