FABRICATIONS · INTERPOLATIONS
Exception Clause in Divorce
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
The KJV includes this additional phrase which is absent in the NIV and ESV due to its omission in earlier manuscripts like Codex Vaticanus and Sinaiticus. This variation suggests that even key moral teachings, such as divorce provisions, may have evolved over time. It underscores the uncertainty surrounding the original message and highlights the role of human influence in shaping Scripture.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
This clause was added by careful scribes to ensure that Jesus’ teachings on marriage were properly understood, particularly regarding marital unfaithfulness. It does not change the heart of the doctrine but refines its application.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
Why would a supposedly divinely preserved Scripture require refinement over time? If a critical aspect of Jesus’ moral teaching was altered or added later, it suggests human intervention shaped Christian ethics. This casts doubt on the authenticity of Jesus’ recorded words and shows that even core ethical instructions were subject to later modifications.
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Exception Clause in Divorce