Tag: divorce

  • Preaching Paths 8 March 2026

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary The standard interpretation of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well presents the woman as an incorrigible “repeat offender.”  Jesus observes that she has “had five husbands,” and “the man you have is not your husband” (v 18). Modern readers often assume that this woman…

  • Proper 22 (27), 6th October 2024

    Mark 10:2-16 Teaching on marriage 10:2Some testing him, asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 10:3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 10:4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 10:5But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he…

  • Preaching Paths 6 October 2024 Proper 22

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In today’s Gospel reading (Mark 10:2-16), some Pharisees ask Jesus to vote up or down the lawfulness of divorcing one’s wife. Their motive may be less than innocent; they may hope he will answer in a way that draws the attention and ire of Herodias, who married…