Jesus' Teaching on Marriage in Matthew 19
Jesus' teaching on marriage in Matthew 19 begins with a question from the Pharisees regarding the lawfulness of divorce (Matthew 19:3). In response, Jesus directs them to the creation account in Genesis, emphasizing God's original design for marriage [5]. He quotes Genesis 2:24, stating, "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH" (Matthew 19:5 NASB) [1]. This foundational statement underscores that marriage was instituted in Paradise as a union between one man and one woman, intended to be permanent [2, 5].
Jesus affirms the indissolubility of this union, declaring, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19:6) [3]. This highlights that the marital bond is a divine appointment that humans do not have the right to break [3, 5]. The disciples, hearing this strict interpretation, remark that if this is the case, "it is not good to marry" (Matthew 19:10) [6].
Jesus does, however, provide one exception to the prohibition against divorce: "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9). This "exception clause" permits divorce only in cases of unfaithfulness [4]. The intent behind this teaching is to reestablish the permanency of marriage, countering views that might take divorce lightly [4]. The act of an unlawfully divorced man remarrying is considered adulterous in this context [4].
The broader context of Matthew 19 shows Jesus engaging with various aspects of discipleship and the kingdom of heaven, including the blessing of children and the rich young ruler. His teaching on marriage here is part of his larger instruction to the multitudes who followed him, whom he also healed and taught (Matthew 19:2) [8]. While marriage is a present reality, Jesus also taught that in the resurrection, people will be "like the angels in heaven," where marriage will not be present, indicating a transformed existence (Matthew 22:30) [7].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 19:5 (NASB) — and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:6: 19:6 Since God made marriage a union, humans do not have the right to break that union. Jesus affirmed the indissolubility of marriage.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:9: 19:9 Jesus permits only one legitimate reason for a man to divorce: if his wife has been unfaithful (see 5:32). In the face of those who thought divorce could be taken lightly, Jesus affirms God’s created order: Marriage was designed to be permanent (see Mark 10:11-12). • commits adultery: This speaks only of the man who divorces his wife unlawfully. In such a case, his remarriage is adulterous. Jesus’ motivation is to reestablish the permanency of marriage.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 19:5: And said, For this cause--to follow out this divine appointment. shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?--Jesus here sends them back to the original constitution of man as one pair, a male and a female; to their marriage, as such, by divine appointment; and to the purpose of God, expressed by the sacred historian, that in all time one man and one woman should by marriage become one flesh--so to continue as long as both are in the flesh. This being God's constitution, let not man break it ”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 19:10: His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry--that is, "In this view of marriage, surely it must prove a snare rather than a blessing, and had better be avoided altogether."”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 22:30: 22:30 like the angels in heaven: Jesus was not teaching genderlessness (i.e., androgyny) nor disparaging the divine order of marriage and sexuality; rather, he was affirming that people will be transformed into a glorious new existence (see 1 Cor 15:35-49; 2 Cor 5:1-5) in which aspects of the present order, such as marriage, will not be present.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 19:2: And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there--Mark says further (Mar 10:1), that "as He was wont, He taught them there." What we now have on the subject of divorce is some of that teaching. Divorce (Mat 19:3-12).”