Before we understand New Testament verses on divorce, we must understand the commands that were given previously.

1 "When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, 2 "when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man's wife, 3 "if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife, 4 "then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. (NKJV)

1 When a man <0376> hath taken <03947> a wife <0802>, and married <01166> her, and it come to pass that she find <04672> no favour <02580> in his eyes <05869>, because he hath found <04672> some <01697> uncleanness <06172> in her: then let him write <03789> her a bill <05612> of divorcement <03748>, and give <05414> it in her hand <03027>, and send <07971> her out of his house <01004>. 2 And when she is departed out <03318> of his house <01004>, she may go <01980> and be another <0312> man's <0376> wife. 3 And if the latter <0314> husband <0376> hate <08130> her, and write <03789> her a bill <05612> of divorcement <03748>, and giveth <05414> it in her hand <03027>, and sendeth <07971> her out of his house <01004>; or if the latter <0314> husband <0376> die <04191>, which took <03947> her to be his wife <0802>; 4 Her former <07223> husband <01167>, which sent her away <07971>, may <03201> not take <03947> her again <07725> to be his wife <0802>, after <0310> that she is defiled <02930>; for that is abomination <08441> before <06440> the LORD <03068>: and thou shalt not cause the land <0776> to sin <02398>, which the LORD <03068> thy God <0430> giveth <05414> thee for an inheritance <05159>. (KJV)

23 If a young woman who is a virgin is betrothed to a husband, and a man finds her in the city and lies with her, 24 "then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he humbled his neighbor's wife; so you shall put away the evil from among you.

25 But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. 26 "But you shall do nothing to the young woman; there is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter. 27 "For he found her in the countryside, and the betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.

28 If a man finds a young woman who is a virgin, who is not betrothed, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are found out, 29 "then the man who lay with her shall give to the young woman's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he has humbled her; he shall not be permitted to divorce her all his days. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 22:23-29 23 If a damsel <05291> that is a virgin <01330> be betrothed <0781> unto an husband <0376>, and a man <0376> find <04672> her in the city <05892>, and lie <07901> with her; 24 Then ye shall bring <03318> them both <08147> out unto the gate <08179> of that city <05892>, and ye shall stone <05619> them with stones <068> that they die <04191>; the damsel <05291>, because <0834> <01697> she cried <06817> not, being in the city <05892>; and the man <0376>, because <0834> <01697> he hath humbled <06031> his neighbour's <07453> wife <0802>: so thou shalt put away <01197> evil <07451> from among <07130> you. 25 But if a man <0376> find <04672> a betrothed <0781> damsel <05291> in the field <07704>, and the man <0376> force <02388> her, and lie <07901> with her: then the man <0376> only that lay <07901> with her shall die <04191>: 26 But unto the damsel <05291> thou shalt do <06213> nothing <01697>; there is in the damsel <05291> no sin <02399> worthy of death <04194>: for as when a man <0376> riseth <06965> against his neighbour <07453>, and slayeth <07523> <05315> him, even so is this matter <01697>: 27 For he found <04672> her in the field <07704>, and the betrothed <0781> damsel <05291> cried <06817>, and there was none to save <03467> her. 28 If a man <0376> find <04672> a damsel <05291> that is a virgin <01330>, which is not betrothed <0781>, and lay hold <08610> on her, and lie <07901> with her, and they be found <04672>; 29 Then the man <0376> that lay <07901> with her shall give <05414> unto the damsel's <05291> father <01> fifty <02572> shekels of silver <03701>, and she shall be his wife <0802>; because he hath humbled <06031> her, he may <03201> not put her away <07971> all his days <03117>. (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

18 Now <1161> the birth <1083> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> was <2258> on this wise <3779>: When as <1063> his <846> mother <3384> Mary <3137> was espoused <3423> to Joseph <2501>, before <4250> <2228> they <846> came together <4905>, she was found <2147> with child <1722> <1064> <2192> of <1537> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>. 19 Then <1161> Joseph <2501> her <846> husband <435>, being <5607> a just <1342> man, and <2532> not <3361> willing <2309> to make <3856> her <846> a public example <3856>, was minded <1014> to put <630> her <846> away <630> privily <2977>. 20 But <1161> while he <846> thought on <1760> these things <5023>, behold <2400>, the angel <32> of the Lord <2962> appeared <5316> unto him <846> in <2596> a dream <3677>, saying <3004>, Joseph <2501>, thou son <5207> of David <1138>, fear <5399> not <3361> to take <3880> unto thee <4675> Mary <3137> thy wife <1135>: for <1063> that which is conceived <1080> in <1722> her <846> is <2076> of <1537> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>. (KJV)

31 " Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (NKJV)

Matthew 5:31-32 31 <161> It hath been said <4483> <3754>, Whosoever <3739> <302> shall put away <630> his <848> wife <1135>, let him give <1325> her <846> a writing of divorcement <647>: 32 But <1161> I <1473> say <3004> unto you <5213>, That <3754> whosoever <302> shall put away <630> his <848> wife <1135>, saving <3924> for the cause <3056> of fornication <4202>, causeth <4160> her <846> to commit adultery <3429>: and <2532> whosoever <3739> <1437> shall marry <1060> her that is divorced <630> committeth adultery <3429>. (KJV)

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."

11 But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 "For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it." (NKJV)

1 And <2532> it came to pass <1096>, that when <3753> Jesus <2424> had finished <5055> these <5128> sayings <3056>, he departed <3332> from <575> Galilee <1056>, and <2532> came <2064> into <1519> the coasts <3725> of Judea <2449> beyond <4008> Jordan <2446>; 2 And <2532> great <4183> multitudes <3793> followed <190> him <846>; and <2532> he healed <2323> them <846> there <1563>.

3 The Pharisees <5330> also <2532> came <4334> unto him <846>, tempting <3985> him <846>, and <2532> saying <3004> unto him <846>, Is it lawful <1487> <1832> for a man <444> to put away <630> his <848> wife <1135> for <2596> every <3956> cause <156>? 4 And <1161> he answered <611> and said <2036> unto them <846>, Have ye <314> not <3756> read <314>, that <3754> he which <3588> made <4160> them at <575> the beginning <746> made <4160> them <846> male <730> and <2532> female <2338>, 5 And <2532> said <2036>, For this <5127> cause <1752> shall a man <444> leave <2641> father <3962> and <2532> mother <3384>, and <2532> shall cleave <4347> to his <848> wife <1135>: and <2532> they twain <1417> shall be <2071> <1519> one <3391> flesh <4561>? 6 Wherefore <5620> they are <1526> no more <3765> twain <1417>, but <235> one <3391> flesh <4561>. What <3739> therefore <3767> God <2316> hath joined together <4801>, let <5563> not <3361> man <444> put asunder <5563>. 7 They say <3004> unto him <846>, Why <5101> did Moses <3475> then <3767> command <1781> to give <1325> a writing <975> of divorcement <647>, and <2532> to put <630> her <846> away <630>? 8 He saith <3004> unto them <846>, <3754> Moses <3475> because of <4314> the hardness <4641> of your <5216> hearts <4641> suffered <2010> you <5213> to put away <630> your <5216> wives <1135>: but <1161> from <575> the beginning <746> it was <1096> not <3756> so <3779>. 9 And <1161> I say <3004> unto you <5213>, <3754> Whosoever <3739> <302> shall put away <630> his <848> wife <1135>, except <1508> it be for <1909> fornication <4202>, and <2532> shall marry <1060> another <243>, committeth adultery <3429>: and <2532> whoso marrieth <1060> her which <3588> is put away <630> doth commit adultery <3429>. 10 His <846> disciples <3101> say <3004> unto him <846>, If <1487> the case <156> of the man <444> be <2076> so <3779> with <3326> his wife <1135>, it is <4851> not <3756> good <4851> to marry <1060>. 11 But <1161> he said <2036> unto them <846>, All <3956> men cannot <3756> receive <5562> this <5126> saying <3056>, save <235> they to whom <3739> it is given <1325>. 12 For <1063> there are <1526> some eunuchs <2135>, which <3748> were so <3779> born <1080> from <1537> their mother's <3384> womb <2836>: and <2532> there are <1526> some eunuchs <2135>, which <3748> were made eunuchs <2134> of <5259> men <444>: and <2532> there be <1526> eunuchs <2135>, which <3748> have made <2134> themselves <1438> eunuchs <2134> for <1223> the kingdom <932> of heaven's sake <3772>. He that is able <1410> to receive <5562> it, let him receive <5562> it. (KJV)

1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another -- to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. (NKJV)

1 <228> Know ye not <50>, brethren <80>, (for <1063> I speak <2980> to them that know <1097> the law <3551>,) how that <3754> the law <3551> hath dominion over <2961> a man <444> as long as <1909> <3745> <5550> he liveth <2198>? 2 For <1063> the woman <1135> which hath an husband <5220> is bound <1210> by the law <3551> to her husband <435> so long as he liveth <2198>; but <1161> if <1437> the husband <435> be dead <599>, she is loosed <2673> from <575> the law <3551> of her husband <435>. 3 So then <686> <3767> if <1437>, while her husband <435> liveth <2198>, she be married <1096> to another <2087> man <435>, she shall be called <5537> an adulteress <3428>: but <1161> if <1437> her husband <435> be dead <599>, she is <2076> free <1658> from <575> that law <3551>; so that she <846> is <1511> no <3361> adulteress <3428>, though she be married <1096> to another <2087> man <435>. 4 Wherefore <5620>, my <3450> brethren <80>, ye <5210> also <2532> are become dead <2289> to the law <3551> by <1223> the body <4983> of Christ <5547>; that <1519> ye <5209> should be married <1096> to another <2087>, even to him who is raised <1453> from <1537> the dead <3498>, that <2443> we should bring forth fruit <2592> unto God <2316>. (KJV)

1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress -- that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. 32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord -- how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world -- how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world -- how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. 39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment -- and I think I also have the Spirit of God. (NKJV)

1 Now <1161> concerning <4012> the things whereof <3739> ye wrote <1125> unto me <3427>: It is good <2570> for a man <444> not <3361> to touch <680> a woman <1135>. 2 Nevertheless <1223> <1161>, to avoid fornication <4202>, let <2192> every man <1538> have <2192> his own <1438> wife <1135>, and <2532> let <2192> every woman <1538> have <2192> her own <2398> husband <435>. 3 Let <591> the husband <435> render <591> unto the wife <1135> due <3784> benevolence <2133>: and <1161> likewise <3668> also <2532> the wife <1135> unto the husband <435>. 4 The wife <1135> hath <1850> not <3756> power <1850> of her own <2398> body <4983>, but <235> the husband <435>: and <1161> likewise <3668> also <2532> the husband <435> hath <1850> not <3756> power <1850> of his own <2398> body <4983>, but <235> the wife <1135>. 5 Defraud ye <650> not <3361> one the other <240>, except <1509> <302> it be <5100> with <1537> consent <4859> for <4314> a time <2540>, that <2443> ye may give yourselves <4980> to fasting <3521> and <2532> prayer <4335>; and <2532> come <4905> together <1909> <846> again <3825>, that <3363> Satan <4567> tempt <3985> you <5209> not <3363> for <1223> your <5216> incontinency <192>. 6 But <1161> I speak <3004> this <5124> by <2596> permission <4774>, and not <3756> of <2596> commandment <2003>. 7 For <1063> I would <2309> that all <3956> men <444> were <1511> even <2532> as <5613> I myself <1683>. But <235> every man <1538> hath <2192> his proper <2398> gift <5486> of <1537> God <2316>, one <3739> <3303> after this manner <3779>, and <1161> another <3739> after that <3779>. 8 I say <3004> therefore <1161> to the unmarried <22> and <2532> widows <5503>, It is <2076> good <2570> for them <846> if <1437> they abide <3306> even <2504> as <5613> I <2504>. 9 But <1161> if <1487> they <1467> cannot <3756> contain <1467>, let them marry <1060>: for <1063> it is <2076> better <2909> to marry <1060> than <2228> to burn <4448>.

10 And <1161> unto the married <1060> I command <3853>, yet not <3756> I <1473>, but <235> the Lord <2962>, Let <5563> not <3361> the wife <1135> depart <5563> from <575> her husband <435>: 11 But <1161> and <2532> if <1437> she depart <5563>, let her remain <3306> unmarried <22>, or <2228> be reconciled <2644> to her husband <435>: and <2532> let <863> not <3361> the husband <435> put away <863> his wife <1135>. 12 But <1161> to the rest <3062> speak <3004> I <1473>, not <3756> the Lord <2962>: If any <1536> brother <80> hath <2192> a wife <1135> that believeth not <571>, and <2532> she <846> be pleased <4909> to dwell <3611> with <3326> him <846>, let him <863> not <3361> put <863> her <846> away <863>. 13 And <2532> the woman <1135> which <3748> hath <2192> an husband <435> that believeth not <571>, and <2532> if he <846> be pleased <4909> to dwell <3611> with <3326> her <846>, let her <863> not <3361> leave <863> him <846>. 14 For <1063> the unbelieving <571> husband <435> is sanctified <37> by <1722> the wife <1135>, and <2532> the unbelieving <571> wife <1135> is sanctified <37> by <1722> the husband <435>: else <686> <1893> were <2076> your <5216> children <5043> unclean <169>; but <1161> now <3568> are they <2076> holy <40>. 15 But <1161> if <1487> the unbelieving <571> depart <5563>, let him depart <5563>. A brother <80> or <2228> a sister <79> is <1402> not <3756> under bondage <1402> in <1722> such <5108> cases: but <1161> God <2316> hath called <2564> us <2248> to <1722> peace <1515>. 16 For <1063> what <5101> knowest thou <1492>, O wife <1135>, whether <1487> thou shalt save <4982> thy husband <435>? or <2228> how <5101> knowest thou <1492>, O man <435>, whether <1487> thou shalt save <4982> thy wife <1135>?

17 But <1508> as <5613> God <2316> hath distributed <3307> to every man <1538>, as <5613> the Lord <2962> hath called <2564> every one <1538>, so <3779> let him walk <4043>. And <2532> so <3779> ordain I <1299> in <1722> all <3956> churches <1577>. 18 Is <2564> any man <5100> called <2564> being circumcised <4059>? let him <1986> not <3361> become uncircumcised <1986>. Is <2564> any <5100> called <2564> in <1722> uncircumcision <203>? let him <4059> not <3361> be circumcised <4059>. 19 Circumcision <4061> is <2076> nothing <3762>, and <2532> uncircumcision <203> is <2076> nothing <3762>, but <235> the keeping <5084> of the commandments <1785> of God <2316>. 20 Let <3306> every man <1538> abide <3306> in <1722> the same <5026> calling <2821> wherein <1722> <3739> he was called <2564> <1722>. 21 Art thou called <2564> being a servant <1401>? care <3199> <4671> not <3361> for it <3199>: but <235> <2532> if <1499> thou mayest <1410> be made <1096> free <1658>, use <5530> it rather <3123>. 22 For <1063> he that is called <2564> in <1722> the Lord <2962>, being a servant <1401>, is <2076> the Lord's <2962> freeman <558>: likewise <3668> also <2532> he that is called <2564>, being free <1658>, is <2076> Christ's <5547> servant <1401>. 23 Ye are bought <59> with a price <5092>; be <1096> not <3361> ye <1096> the servants <1401> of men <444>. 24 Brethren <80>, let <3306> every man <1538>, wherein <1722> <3739> he is called <2564>, therein <1722> <5129> abide <3306> with <3844> God <2316>.

25 Now <1161> concerning <4012> virgins <3933> I have <2192> no <3756> commandment <2003> of the Lord <2962>: yet <1161> I give <1325> my judgment <1106>, as <5613> one that hath obtained mercy <1653> of <5259> the Lord <2962> to be <1511> faithful <4103>. 26 I suppose <3543> therefore <3767> that this <5124> is <5225> good <2570> for <1223> the present <1764> distress <318>, I say, that <3754> it is good <2570> for a man <444> so <3779> to be <1511>. 27 Art thou bound <1210> unto a wife <1135>? seek <2212> not <3361> to be loosed <3089>. Art thou loosed <3080> from <575> a wife <1135>? seek <2212> not <3361> a wife <1135>. 28 But <1161> and <2532> if <1437> thou marry <1060>, thou hast <264> not <3756> sinned <264>; and <2532> if <1437> a virgin <3933> marry <1060>, she hath <264> not <3756> sinned <264>. Nevertheless <1161> such <5108> shall have <2192> trouble <2347> in the flesh <4561>: but <1161> I <1473> spare <5339> you <5216>. 29 But <1161> this <5124> I say <5346>, brethren <80>, the time <2540> is short <4958>: it remaineth <2076> <3063>, that <2443> both <2532> they that have <2192> wives <1135> be <5600> as though <5613> they had <2192> none <3361>; 30 And <2532> they that weep <2799>, as <5613> though they wept <2799> not <3361>; and <2532> they that rejoice <5463>, as <5613> though they rejoiced <5463> not <3361>; and <2532> they that buy <59>, as <5613> though they possessed <2722> not <3361>; 31 And <2532> they that use <5530> this <5127> world <2889>, as <5613> not <3361> abusing <2710> it: for <1063> the fashion <4976> of this <5129> world <2889> passeth away <3855>. 32 But <1161> I would have <1511> <2309> you <5209> without carefulness <275>. He that is unmarried <22> careth <3309> for the things that belong to <3588> the Lord <2962>, how <4459> he may please <700> the Lord <2962>: 33 But <1161> he that is married <1060> careth <3309>