Contradictions and Paradoxes in Matthew 5:31

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Matthew 5:31 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Matthew 5:31. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Matthew, Jesus explains that people used to say it's okay to divorce by giving a paper, but He wants people to understand that marriage is very special and should be taken seriously. Jesus is teaching that you should think really hard before deciding to leave your husband or wife.

Matthew 5:31: It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:1

This verse allows a man to write a bill of divorcement if he finds some uncleanness in her, suggesting a different condition for divorce than what is implied in Matthew 5:31.

Deuteronomy 24:1: When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. [some...: Heb. matter of nakedness] [divorcement: Heb. cutting off]

Contradiction with Mark 10:9

This verse states that what God has joined together, let not man put asunder, contradicting the notion of issuing a divorce as suggested in Matthew 5:31.

Mark 10:9: What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

These verses advise that a wife should not depart from her husband and if she does, remain unmarried or be reconciled, offering guidance differing from the allowance of divorce in Matthew 5:31.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11: And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

Contradiction with Malachi 2:16

This verse expresses God's hatred for divorce, which conflicts with the certificate of divorce practice mentioned in Matthew 5:31.

Malachi 2:16: For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. [that he...: or, if he hate her, put her away] [putting...: Heb. to put away]

Paradox #1

Matthew 5:31 discusses divorce, and a potential theological conflict arises when comparing it to other biblical teachings on the same topic. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus provides further explanation and conditions surrounding divorce, which some interpret as more restrictive than in Matthew 5:31. Additionally, these teachings can be seen as inconsistent with the Old Testament law in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where the regulations on divorce are different. The tension lies in how these contrasting teachings should be harmonized or prioritized in understanding Christian views on marriage and divorce.

Paradox #2

Matthew 5:31 discusses divorce and states that a man can give his wife a certificate of divorce. The contradiction or inconsistency arises because, in earlier Jewish law, as seen in books like Deuteronomy, divorce is permitted with specific conditions. However, later teachings in the New Testament, particularly by Jesus, appear to discourage divorce except in the case of adultery, creating a tension between the allowance in Jewish law and the stricter view presented by Jesus.

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