Verses 1-12 - Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ's constant practice. He here show that the reason why Moses' law allowed divorce, was such that the ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts. God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied, is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves, if God should deal with them in like manner.
4. Bill (biblion). See on Matt. xix. 7. Diminutive. Lit., a little book; Lat., libellus, from which comes our word libel, a written accusation. Accordingly Wyc. has a libel of forsaking, and Tynd. a testimonial of her divorcement.
10:4 {To write a bill of divorcement and to put her away} (biblion apostasiou grayai 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" (sklerokardia). Jesusexpounds 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.
