Rucki, Mirosław (Papieski Wydział Teologiczny we Wrocławiu, 2014)
In the paper, the Jesus’ view on divorces is analyzed. Under the question was an “exception” which is derived usually from the clause “except it be for fornication” (Math. 19:9) and interpreted as a possibility to accept divorces. The phrase was put into Hebrew/Aramaic context of 1st century Judaism and Jewish mentality of the presumed readers of the Matthew Gospel (the phrase never occurs in any other book of the New Testament). Next, wide view of the Talmudic arguments on the divorce issue was given to understand what the Pharisees could have meant asking for “divorce causes.” The cause of fornication (adultery) was analyzed separately as it was viewed by Jewish Law and rabbis, and then the Jesus’ opinion was interpreted in the proper context. The conclusion is that Jesus even adding this “exception” never meant a possibility to accept a divorce under any condition.
