Mark 10:5 – “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ focus on the law of Moses regarding divorce. He explains that Moses allowed divorce not because it was ideal or approved by God, but because of the hardness of human hearts. In other words, divorce was permitted as a concession due to human sin and the stubbornness of people who were unwilling to live according to God’s perfect design for marriage. Jesus is pointing out that the problem isn’t with God’s plan—it’s with the people’s failure to follow it. This statement shifts the conversation from legal debates to the deeper issue of sin and the need for spiritual transformation.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, the Jewish community was divided over the interpretation of Moses’ teaching on divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). The Pharisees were using this law to justify divorce for various reasons, depending on which school of thought they followed. But Moses’ allowance for divorce was never meant to be an endorsement—it was a way to manage a broken situation where relationships were already failing due to sin. The phrase “hard hearts” refers to the stubbornness and rebellion of people who refused to obey God’s original design for lifelong marriage. In the Old Testament, a “hard heart” often symbolized spiritual resistance to God’s commands.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals a key theological truth: God’s commands are rooted in love and perfection, but He sometimes allows concessions because of human weakness and sin. However, those concessions are not meant to be ideal or permanent. God’s perfect will for marriage, as established in Genesis 2:24, is that a man and woman become “one flesh” in a lifelong union.
The hardness of heart described here is a reminder of humanity’s fallen condition. Sin distorts God’s design and leads to brokenness in relationships. But Jesus doesn’t just diagnose the problem—His entire mission is to heal hardened hearts through the power of His grace. This verse also underscores the importance of spiritual transformation. It’s not enough to follow the letter of the law; we need new hearts that align with God’s will (Ezekiel 36:26).
Literary Analysis
Mark uses this verse to create a turning point in the conversation. The Pharisees want to discuss legal technicalities, but Jesus shifts the focus to the condition of the human heart. The word “hard” (Greek: sklērókardia) implies more than stubbornness—it suggests a spiritual resistance to God’s truth. The contrast between Moses’ law and God’s ideal is central to the passage, showing that God’s concessions are temporary solutions, not His ultimate desire.
The dialogue is structured to reveal that the Pharisees’ understanding of Scripture is incomplete. They see Moses’ law as a justification for divorce, but Jesus clarifies that it was actually a response to human sinfulness. This sets the stage for Jesus to explain God’s original design for marriage in the following verses.
Biblical Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 24:1-4 – The passage where Moses allows for divorce, which Jesus references as a concession to human sin.
- Genesis 2:24 – “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” This verse represents God’s original intention for marriage.
- Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This promise of spiritual renewal addresses the problem of hard hearts.
- Matthew 19:8 – A parallel passage where Jesus states, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.”
- Hebrews 3:8 – “Do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” This warning reminds us of the dangers of resisting God’s voice.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse challenges Christians to examine the condition of their hearts. Hard hearts don’t just affect marriages—they can impact every aspect of our relationship with God and others. When we resist God’s truth or cling to sin, we limit our ability to experience His blessings and live according to His will.
Jesus’ statement also reminds us that we shouldn’t settle for what is “permitted” when God calls us to something higher. While society may permit things like divorce for convenience, God’s design for marriage remains sacred. Christians are called to pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and commitment, reflecting God’s desire for lasting relationships.
However, this verse also offers hope. Through Christ, hardened hearts can be softened. Those who have experienced broken relationships, including divorce, are not beyond God’s grace. His power to heal and restore is available to all who turn to Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in His patience and compassion. Instead of immediately punishing people for their hard hearts, He provided guidelines through Moses to minimize the damage caused by sin. But God’s love doesn’t leave us in our brokenness—He desires to restore us to His original plan. His willingness to make concessions reflects His understanding of human weakness, but His ultimate goal is for us to experience the fullness of life as He intended it.
Through Jesus, God offers a way to overcome the hardness of heart that leads to broken relationships. His love is not conditional or temporary—it’s a love that calls us to transformation and healing.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the answer to the problem of hard hearts. Throughout His ministry, He confronted the spiritual stubbornness of the religious leaders and invited people to experience true transformation. His death and resurrection provide the power to heal broken hearts and restore what sin has damaged.
Jesus fulfills God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:26 to give us new hearts and a new spirit. As the perfect example of God’s love, Jesus shows us what it means to live in obedience to God’s will. His relationship with the Church is the model for marriage—a relationship built on sacrificial love, forgiveness, and permanence (Ephesians 5:25-27). Where human marriages often fail due to hard hearts, Christ’s love for His people is eternal and unbreakable.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to have a “hard heart,” and how can we recognize this condition in our own lives?
- Why is it important to distinguish between what is permitted and what is God’s ideal?
- How can Christians today pursue God’s design for marriage, even when challenges arise?
- In what areas of life do we sometimes settle for what is “allowed” rather than striving for God’s best?
- How can we invite God to soften our hearts and transform us through His Spirit?
- How does Jesus’ role as the one who heals broken relationships encourage us in times of failure or regret?