Library / Annotations on the New Testament

On Matthew

Annotation LXXX, On second marriages (Matthew 19:8)

“Moses, because of the hardness of heart, permitted you to dismiss [your] wives.”

Annotation LXXX

”Moses, because of the hardness of heart, permitted you to dismiss [your] wives.” — Matthew 19:8

On second marriages.

The author of the Opus imperfectum, homily 32, in the exposition of this sentence, is believed to have condemned second marriages in these words: “The Apostles enjoined [men] to enter second marriages on account of the incontinence of men. For to take a second [wife] is, according to the precept of the Apostle, [lawful]; but according to the reckoning of truth, it is truly fornication. Yet since, with God permitting, it is committed publicly and lawfully, it becomes an honorable fornication.”

To cite this page

Sixtus of Siena, O.P., “Annotation LXXX, On second marriages (Matthew 19:8),” in Annotations on the New Testament, English translation, Mind of the Church, https://mindofthechurch.com/works/bibliotheca-sancta-nt/081-annotation-lxxx-on-second-marriages-matthew-19-8/.

Receive the new translations

One email when a new work or note is published — nothing else, ever.