The Pharisees were not asking about the acceptability of divorce; it was permitted by law. Jesus responds to their challenge with one of his own. Without undermining the authority of Moses, he goes beyond the Mosaic tradition to the original intent of God as found in the creation account. In God’s design the couple become one flesh and must not be separated. Later Jesus explains his challenge of the patriarchal understanding of divorce and remarriage. Jesus then makes children the symbol and model of those who would receive and enter the reign of God. The reign of God must be accepted as children might accept a gift. Furthermore, it must also be entered with the un-self-consciousness of children.