Note 5 at Mt. 19:7: Instead of a simple answer explaining scriptural grounds for divorce, Jesus had stunned the Pharisees with the revelation that divorce was never intended by God (see note 10 at Mk. 10:2, p. 322). This led the Pharisees to then ask why Moses gave instructions for divorce. Once again, this was not an honest question on their part but they were trying to entangle Jesus in His talk.

Jesus answered that divorce was permitted but never intended. God allowed something that He hated (Mal. 2:16) because of the hardness of people's hearts (see note 10 at Mk. 6:52, p. 179). This was also true of polygamy (see note 11 at Mk. 10:6, p. 323) and slavery. Jesus came to remove our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh (Ezek. 11:19) so that we could walk in God's best for us.