Accesserunt ad Jesum

This motet for five-part choir (two sopranos, two tenors, and bass) sets a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, where the Pharisees question Jesus about divorce. Clemens non Papa crafts a thoughtful response to this theological debate. The composer skilfully depicts the solemnity of the occasion with rich, imitative polyphony. As the text progresses from the Pharisees’ challenging question to Jesus’ pronouncement on the sanctity of marriage, the musical setting reflects this shift. The closing words, asserting that what God has joined, man cannot separate, are delivered with a sense of finality and profound significance. This piece is suitable for services during Ordinary Time or for a general motet offering.