Paragraph 19:3–9
19:3a
Then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is the connecting word that usually joins the next event to the previous one. Some English versions do not translate it here. They allow the context to suggest the connection.
Here is another way to translate it:
And (English Standard Version)
some Pharisees: Some Pharisees came to Jesus. Not all of them.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
some members of the Pharisee group
For help in translating the word Pharisees, see the note at 3:7a.
came: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came means that they approached Jesus. There is no indication of where these Pharisees came from. It is good to keep this as a general statement. For example:
Pharisees approached him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
some Pharisees came to Jesus
and tested Him: The word tested means “tried to trick/trap” him so that he fails. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to fail to answer the question well. They hoped that he would say something that was against the law of Moses. Then they could accuse him.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
in order to test him (NET Bible)
-or-
and tried to trap him (Good News Translation)
-or-
and tried to trick him (New Century Version)
-or-
and tried to trick him ⌊to give a bad answer⌋
This same verb occurs in 16:1b. You should translate it here as you did there.
Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus. Since this sentence begins a new paragraph, it may be natural in some languages to use his name. For example:
and tested Jesus
by asking: In Greek, this phrase is more literally “and saying.” But the Pharisees’ trap for Jesus involved a question. So many English translations use the word “ask” here.
It is also possible to start a new sentence here. For example:
They asked (New International Version)
19:3b
Is it lawful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Is it lawful is more literally “Is it permitted.” This means “Does God’s/Moses’ law permit (a man to divorce his wife)?”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Does our Law allow a man (Good News Translation)
-or-
Is it permitted ⌊in the Law of Moses⌋ for a man
This same phrase occurs in 12:10c.
for a man to divorce his wife: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as divorce means “release,” “reject,” or “send away.” In this context, it refers to breaking the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
to send away his wife
-or-
to break the marriage vows
his wife: The English phrase his wife is a way to speak in general.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
one’s wife (English Standard Version)
for any reason: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as any reason can also be translated as “any cause.” For example:
for just any reason? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
for any and every reason (New International Version)
-or-
for no matter what reason
Deuteronomy 24:1 says that a man could divorce his wife if he found something indecent about her. There were different ideas among the Pharisees themselves about how to interpret that verse. The Pharisees wanted to know what Jesus thought “something indecent” meant. Was it limited to just sexual unfaithfulness? Or could a man divorce his wife for anything he might be unhappy about? Whichever way he answered, some Pharisees would disagree with him.
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