Luk 16:18 | TNotes | STEP | 16:18 This example fit the context by showing that Jesus’ authoritative words interpreted and fulfilled the Old Testament law. • a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery: The Old Testament allowed for divorce but did not sanction it (Deut 24:1-4 ), and the rabbis of Jesus’ day debated what constituted legitimate grounds. The school of Shammai allowed a man to divorce his wife only because of unfaithfulness, while the school of Hillel allowed divorce for almost any reason. Against such a casual attitude, Jesus said that breaking the marriage vow by divorce and marrying someone else was equivalent to adultery. Elsewhere (Matt 5:32 ; 19:9 ), Jesus provided a clear exception for cases of unfaithfulness.

bDeut 24:1-4►

cMatt 5:32►

‏ Luke 16:18

16:18 ^a This example fit the context by showing that Jesus’ authoritative words interpreted and fulfilled the Old Testament law.

• a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery: The Old Testament allowed for divorce but did not sanction it (Deut 24:1-4 ^b), and the rabbis of Jesus’ day debated what constituted legitimate grounds. The school of Shammai allowed a man to divorce his wife only because of unfaithfulness, while the school of Hillel allowed divorce for almost any reason. Against such a casual attitude, Jesus said that breaking the marriage vow by divorce and marrying someone else was equivalent to adultery. Elsewhere (Matt 5:32 ^c; 19:9 ^d), Jesus provided a clear exception for cases of unfaithfulness.