Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus points out that "what" God joins together is the unity itself, not just the two individuals, emphasizing that any separation tears apart this singular, divinely created bond. This "one flesh" isn't just a metaphor; it's a declaration that the marital union becomes a new, indivisible entity in God's eyes.
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about the permissibility of divorce. Jesus responds by taking them back to the creation account, emphasizing God's original design for marriage as a permanent, unified bond between one man and one woman. He then directly challenges their understanding by stating that what God has united, no human should separate.
Jesus takes us back to the very beginning, showing that marriage isn't just a human agreement, but a divine creation. What does it mean for two people to truly become 'one flesh'?
When Jesus confronts the Pharisees about divorce, he doesn't just offer a rule; he reveals God's original design for marriage. He quotes Genesis (Matthew 19:4-5), reminding them that from the start, God made male and female to be united.
The 'One Flesh' Reality
This 'one flesh' union is more than just living together. It signifies a deep, intrinsic bond – a joining so profound that the two individuals are seen, in God's eyes, as a single entity. This isn't about losing individuality, but about a sacred intertwining of lives, purposes, and futures.
God's Authority in Union
Jesus emphasizes that this union originates with God. He says, 'What therefore God has joined together...' This isn't just a poetic statement; it asserts that the institution of marriage, when entered into according to God's design, carries divine weight and authority.
Jesus issues a strong command: 'let not man separate.' What does this powerful statement mean for the permanence and sanctity of marriage?
Jesus’ pronouncement, 'What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder,' is a direct challenge to human attempts to dissolve what God has united. It underscores the sanctity and intended permanence of marriage.
God's Authority Over Man's
This isn't merely advice; it's a divine decree. When Jesus says 'let not man separate,' he's establishing God's ultimate authority in marriage. Human laws, customs, or personal desires cannot override the divine joining of a husband and wife.
The Reason for the Command
The preceding phrase, 'they are no longer two but one flesh,' provides the bedrock for this command. Because marriage creates such an intimate, unified entity, separating it is akin to tearing apart something that God Himself has made whole. This 'tearing apart' is what Jesus later addresses as adultery, as it breaks the fundamental 'one flesh' reality.
Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
Used in Genesis and here to describe the marriage union, it signifies a profound, ontological unity between a man and a woman that transcends mere physical attraction or legal contract, creating a singular entity in God’s sight.
synezeuxen · Greek Verb
Refers to a legal or divine bond or yoking. In this context, it emphasizes that marriage is an institution established and sanctioned by God, rather than a purely human invention.
chorizeto · Greek Verb
To divide, dissolve, or break apart. Jesus uses this word to forbid human interference in the permanent bond that God has established in marriage.
Jesus' strong stance on the permanence of marriage in Matthew 19:6 directly challenged the prevailing lax attitudes towards divorce among some Jewish factions during His earthly ministry, particularly the differing interpretations of Moses' law.
c. 28 AD - 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus taught and debated with Jewish leaders regarding the interpretation of the Law, including the laws surrounding marriage and divorce.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem marked a significant turning point for Judaism, leading to shifts in religious practice and interpretation.
c. 100 AD
Mishnah Codification
The Mishnah, an early compilation of Jewish oral laws, included discussions and rulings on divorce, reflecting the varied interpretations of Mosaic Law.
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…
Jesus points out that "what" God joins together is the unity itself, not just the two individuals, emphasizing that any separation tears apart this singular, divinely created bond. This "one flesh" isn't just a metaphor; it's a declaration that the marital union becomes a new, indivisible entity in God's eyes.
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about the permissibility of divorce. Jesus responds by taking them back to the creation account, emphasizing God's original design for marriage as a permanent, unified bond between one man and one woman. He then directly challenges their understanding by stating that what God has united, no human should separate.
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking about the permissibility of divorce. Jesus responds by taking them back to the creation account, emphasizing God's original design for marriage as a permanent, unified bond between one man and one woman. He then directly challenges their understanding by stating that what God has united, no human should separate.
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"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”" — Jesus points out that "what" God joins together is the unity itself, not just the two individuals, emphasizing that any separation tears apart this singular, divinely created bond. This "one flesh"…
