Note 3 at Lk. 16:18: This statement about divorce and remarriage was made as a rebuke to the Pharisees' seeking to justify themselves before men (v. 15). God knew the corruption that was in their hearts despite their outward holiness. They claimed to keep the law, but they had interpreted it in a way that was contrary to God's intent.

The Old Testament law allowed divorce and remarriage (Mt. 19:7; Mk. 10:4) if there was found "uncleanness" in the mate (Dt. 24:1-4). During Jesus' ministry, the religious leaders had interpreted this "uncleanness" to be anything that the husband disliked (Mt. 19:3). Jesus clarified this "uncleanness" as being marital unfaithfulness or fornication (Mt. 19:9), and stated that that was the only justification for divorce.

Therefore, the Pharisees had not kept the law as they professed and Jesus had not broken the law as they had accused Him of. Jesus fulfilled the smallest jot and tittle of the law while the Pharisees had made God's Word of none effect through their traditions (Mk. 7:13).