Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 10].
10:4 {To write a bill of divorcement and to put her away}
(\biblion apostasiou grapsai kai apolusai\). The word for "bill"
(\biblion\) is a diminutive and means "little book," like the
Latin _libellus_, from which comes our word _libel_ (Vincent).
Wycliff has it here "a libel of forsaking." This same point the
Pharisees raise in Mt 19:7, showing probably that they held to
the liberal view of Hillel, easy divorce for almost any cause.
That was the popular view as now. See on ¯Mt 19:7 for this and
for discussion of "for your hardness of heart" (\skl•rokardia\).
Jesus expounds the purpose of marriage (Ge 2:24) and takes the
stricter view of divorce, that of the school of Shammai. See on
¯Mt 19:1-12 for discussion. Mr 10:10 notes that the disciples
asked Jesus about this problem "in the house" after they had gone
away from the crowd.
10:11 Mark does not give the exception stated in Mt 19:9
"except for fornication" which see for discussion, though the
point is really involved in what Mark does record. Mere formal
divorce does not annul actual marriage consummated by the
physical union. Breaking that bond does annul it.
10:12 {If she herself shall put away her husband and marry
another} (\ean aut• apolusasa ton andra aut•s gam•s•i\).
Condition of the third class (undetermined, but with prospect of
determination). Greek and Roman law allowed the divorce of the
husband by the wife though not provided for in Jewish law. But
the thing was sometimes done as in the case of Herodias and her
husband before she married Herod Antipas. So also Salome, Herod's
sister, divorced her husband. Both Bruce and Gould think that
Mark added this item to the words of Jesus for the benefit of the
Gentile environment of this Roman Gospel. But surely Jesus knew
that the thing was done in the Roman world and hence prohibited
marrying such a "grass widow."
10:13 {They brought} (\prosepheron\). Imperfect active tense,
implying repetition. So also Lu 18:15, though Mt 19:13 has
the constative aorist passive (\pros•nechth•san\). "This incident
follows with singular fitness after the Lord's assertion of the
sanctity of married life" (Swete). These children (\paidia\, Mark
and Matthew; \breph•\ in Luke) were of various ages. They were
brought to Jesus for his blessing and prayers (Matthew). The
mothers had reverence for Jesus and wanted him to touch
(\haps•tai\) them. There was, of course, no question of baptism
or salvation involved, but a most natural thing to do.
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