A quick read of the passage could lead a person to say that Jesus’s mention of divorce and adultery is out of place and not connected to the “Parable of the Shrewd Manager” (1-13) nor Jesus’ response to the sneering Pharisees (14-17). However, upon study, it is in the perfect place.
Jesus mentioned that the Law of the Covenant with Israel (which is the first five books of the Bible) is still binding and important even though the good news of the kingdom of God was being preached (16).
One of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14). Deuteronomy 24:1-4 mentions the certificate of divorce (though when it was first introduced to Israel is not known for that is not given in the Bible). So it is considered part of the law, though that was debated in Jesus’ time (Mark 10:2).
Jesus mentions divorce and adultery because they are still binding to Israel. The good news is preached, but adultery is still unlawful and still sinful. (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:8-9; Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
The reason why divorce is such a serious matter to God the Father and Jesus is because marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman, no different than the Lord’s covenant with Abraham and Israel. This was true with Adam and Eve at the beginning of creation (Matthew 19:8-9; Mark 10:2-12). And marriage was made to reflect the relationship between God the Father and the Son through the binding of the Holy Spirit.
