and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes a radical shift in loyalty: the marital bond becomes the primary connection, superseding even the deep ties of family you were born into. This isn't about abandoning parents, but about a profound re-ordering of your closest allegiance, establishing a new, unified household.
and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about divorce, a contentious issue. In response, Jesus points them back to the very beginning of creation, quoting Genesis to establish God's original design for marriage as an unbreakable, lifelong union between one man and one woman. This foundational principle directly challenges the loose divorce practices prevalent at the time and sets the stage for Jesus' stronger teaching on marital fidelity.
When Jesus tackled the tricky topic of divorce, he didn't just cite a law; he went back to the very beginning of creation. What does that tell us about the core of marriage?
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus, asking if divorce was permissible for any reason. Jesus, however, skillfully redirects their attention to the foundational purpose of marriage as established by God from the outset. He quotes Genesis 2:24, highlighting that marriage isn't merely a social contract or a legal arrangement made by humans. It's a divine institution. The phrase 'one flesh' signifies an unbreakable unity, a deep spiritual and physical joining that is established by God. This wasn't just a suggestion for Adam and Eve; it was God's design for all humanity. Therefore, any attempt to dissolve this union outside of God's defined parameters is a violation of His original intent.
Jesus says a man should 'leave' his parents and 'cleave' to his wife. What does this radical shift in loyalty truly mean for a new marriage?
The instruction for a man to 'leave his father and mother' and 'hold fast' (or 'cleave') to his wife isn't about abandoning family ties entirely. Instead, it signifies a profound reordering of priorities. The marital bond becomes the primary relationship, superseding even the deep ties of family of origin. 'Cleaving' is a strong term, suggesting being glued or firmly attached, indicating an intense, deliberate commitment to the spouse. This establishes the new household and the new unity as the central focus of the individual's life and loyalty. It’s about building a new core unit, distinct from the families one came from.
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Understand the original words
proskollēthēsetai · Greek Verb
To stick, cling, or glue together. It denotes a permanent, committed bond of love and loyalty in a covenantal relationship, especially in marriage.
sarka mian · Greek Noun/Adjective phrase
A biblical metaphor for the radical unity of two individuals in marriage, where they cease to be two separate entities and become a single, unified whole before God.
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19:5 directly challenges the prevailing interpretation of the Mosaic Law concerning divorce, grounding his argument in the creation ordinance of Genesis, thereby elevating marriage to an indissoluble union willed by God from the beginning.
c. 2000 BC - 1500 BC
Early Patriarchal Period
The foundational stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob set precedents for family and covenant, though specific regulations regarding divorce were not yet codified.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus and the Law
The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, including commandments about family and society, although the explicit allowance for divorce would come later.
c. 1400 BC
Deuteronomy's Divorce Clause
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 introduces the concept of a 'certificate of divorce,' permitting a man to put away his wife under certain circumstances, a practice that would become a point of contention.
c. 450 BC
Malachi's Rebuke
The prophet Malachi condemns the Israelites for faithlessness, including marrying foreign women and treachery against their wives, echoing themes of marital faithfulness.
c. 30 BC - AD 30
Second Temple Period Debates
During Jesus' time, there were differing rabbinic schools (like Hillel and Shammai) with contrasting views on the grounds for divorce, reflecting ongoing societal discussions.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches on Marriage and Divorce
Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees' questions about divorce, referencing the creation account in Genesis to establish God's original intent for marriage as a lifelong, unified bond.
This is the foundational passage Jesus is quoting, establishing the creation ordinance for marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. It underscores the divine origin and design of marriage as a 'one flesh' reality.
Malachi 2:15This prophetic passage speaks against divorce and polygamy, emphasizing that God desires 'godly offspring' from a faithful union, reinforcing the idea of marriage as a sacred covenant for building a family, not a casual arrangement.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11The Apostle Paul, echoing Jesus' teaching, addresses marital separation and reconciliation, clarifying that a wife should not separate from her husband and that if separation occurs, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled, highlighting the enduring nature of the marital bond.
Ephesians 5:31-32Paul directly links the marital union of 'one flesh' to the spiritual union between Christ and the Church, elevating marriage to a profound symbol of Christ's commitment and sacrificial love for His bride, the Church.
calvinMatthew 19:3-9: "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"
- And the Pharisees came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever? 4. Who answering said to them, Have you not read, that he who made them at first, [593] made them male and female? 5. And he said, Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they…
henryMatthew 19:3-12: "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"
19:3-12 The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by as…
The text emphasizes a radical shift in loyalty: the marital bond becomes the primary connection, superseding even the deep ties of family you were born into. This isn't about abandoning parents, but about a profound re-ordering of your closest allegiance, establishing a new, unified household.
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about divorce, a contentious issue. In response, Jesus points them back to the very beginning of creation, quoting Genesis to establish God's original design for marriage as an unbreakable, lifelong union between one man and one woman. This foundational principle directly challenges the loose divorce practices prevalent at the time and sets the stage for Jesus' stronger teaching on marital fidelity.
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about divorce, a contentious issue. In response, Jesus points them back to the very beginning of creation, quoting Genesis to establish God's original design for marriage as an unbreakable, lifelong union between one man and one woman. This foundational principle directly challenges the loose divorce practices prevalent at the time and sets the stage for Jesus' stronger teaching on marital fidelity.
"and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?" — The text emphasizes a radical shift in loyalty: the marital bond becomes the primary connection, superseding even the deep ties of family you were born into. This isn't about abandoning parents, bu…
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Last reviewed October 2026