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The traditional perspective on divorce and remarriage is rooted in the interpretation of the Greek word “apoluo,” which is often translated into English as "divorce." The claim is that Jesus taught that remarrying after “divorce” constitutes adultery. However, the word “apoluo” appears 67 times in the New Testament and, just from looking at how it is used, is more accurately translated as "send away" or “put away” rather than "divorce." Sending someone away is only one part of the process outlined by Moses and affirmed by God (Deut. 24:1-2; Jer. 3:8), and therefore, it cannot be considered a legal divorce that ends the marriage.
Jesus addressed the issue of men dismissing their wives without granting them a proper divorce, though this interpretation is often disputed. If the critics are correct, it would imply that Jesus overlooked the practice of men sending away their wives to evade Moses’ law, mainly to avoid repaying dowries. This was a significant problem then and remains relevant today.
Mike Willis discussed this issue before the true meaning of “apoluo” became widely understood by many of us. I have included links below that demonstrate how Jewish men continued the practice of "putting away" without officially divorcing, even a few years ago. Those genuinely committed to seeking truth, rather than merely preserving tradition, acknowledge that this practice was, and still is, considered sinful. They recognize that Jesus addressed all forms of sin, including this one.
Jesus' words in Mark 10:11, 12 make it clear that Jesus did not use the word apoluo as divorce. The passage below cannot be forced to harmonize with the idea that Jesus said a divorced person, both male, and female, commits adultery upon remarrying:
Mark 10:11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
First, and this is quite evident, "put away" refers to only one aspect of the divorce process and does not equate to divorce itself.
Second, the man's wrongdoing lies not in marrying another—since he was permitted to have more than one wife—but in how he treated his current wife. By sending her away without granting a proper divorce, he left her to fend for herself, which could force her into desperate situations, such as prostitution.
Third, the idea that the term apoluo does not signify divorce is supported by the fact that a woman could "send away" or repudiate her husband, essentially separating from him. However, women of that era did not possess the legal right to initiate a formal divorce. This distinction underscores the cultural and legal limitations placed on women, highlighting that the act of "sending away" was more of a personal decision rather than a legally binding termination of the marriage.
Fourth, the man’s sin was described as adultery or treachery, but it was against her, the first wife, not with the second wife. Jesus portrayed dismissing her without proper cause or provision as a violation of both legal and moral obligations.
The core issue Jesus addressed was the behavior of men committing adultery against their wives (Mark 10:11). This occurred when they refused to grant their wives a divorce, withholding the necessary papers that would allow the women to remarry. Understanding this context is essential to grasping Jesus' teaching. However, many, out of loyalty to tradition rather than truth, remain stubbornly committed to defending practices that the apostle Paul identifies as a doctrine of the devil (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Such teachings are inconsistent with God’s mercy, justice, and compassion for His children, serving only to benefit the devil. Inspired by God, the apostle Paul demonstrated these virtues in his teachings: 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 8-9; 14-15; 24; 27-28.
https://www.totalhealth.bz/divorce-and-remarriage-willis-exegesis.htm
https://www.totalhealth.bz/divorce-and-remarriage-jewish-women-in-chains.htm
https://www.totalhealth.bz/divorce-and-remarriage-get-not-given.htm
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