Mark 10:8 kjv
And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Mark 10:8 nkjv
and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Mark 10:8 niv
and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Mark 10:8 esv
and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Mark 10:8 nlt
and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one,
Mark 10 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:24 | Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. | The foundational divine decree on marriage, directly quoted by Jesus. |
| Matt 19:5-6 | ‘Therefore a man shall leave...and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. | Parallel account of Jesus' teaching on marriage's unity and indissolubility. |
| Eph 5:31 | “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” | Paul quotes Gen 2:24, linking marital unity to the mystery of Christ and the Church. |
| 1 Cor 6:16 | Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” | Highlights the profound bonding power of physical union, even in negative contexts. |
| Mal 2:14-16 | ...Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless... For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, does violence to his covering... | God's hatred for divorce, emphasizing the covenantal nature of marriage and betrayal of trust. |
| Rom 7:2-3 | For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives... But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. | Legal binding nature of marriage covenant until death. |
| Heb 13:4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. | Marriage's honor and sanctity; protecting the "one flesh" union. |
| 1 Cor 7:2-5 | But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife... The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. | Mutual marital duties and intimacy as expressions of the "one flesh" union. |
| Gen 1:27-28 | So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them and said... “Be fruitful and multiply...” | Divine creation of male and female, foundational for the two becoming one. |
| Mk 10:9 | What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. | The immediate consequence and instruction flowing from the "one flesh" declaration. |
| Prov 18:22 | He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | The blessedness and divine favor found in the marital union. |
| Prov 5:18-19 | Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth... may you be captivated by her love forever. | Celebration of marital intimacy and devotion. |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel... | Call for husbands to cherish their wives, reflecting mutual honor within the union. |
| Hos 2:19-20 | And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice... I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD. | God's covenant with Israel depicted through the metaphor of a marriage covenant. |
| Eph 4:3 | eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Broader principle of spiritual unity that resonates with marital "oneness." |
| John 17:21 | ...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us... | Jesus' prayer for the unity of believers, a spiritual oneness echoing marital unity. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-13 | For just as the body is one and has many members... so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... | The church as one body, comprised of many members, a metaphor of unity and interdependence. |
| Song 6:3 | I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies. | Poetic expression of mutual belonging and deep intimacy within marriage. |
| Ruth 1:16 | But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. | Covenantal loyalty demonstrated in familial bond, reflecting depths of "one flesh" commitment. |
| Jer 3:14 | “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion." | God as "master" (husband) to Israel, expressing a deep bond despite unfaithfulness. |
| Ex 20:14 | “You shall not commit adultery.” | Commandment safeguarding the exclusive nature and sanctity of the "one flesh" union. |
Mark 10 verses
Mark 10 8 Meaning
This verse declares the divine purpose and nature of marriage: that a man and a woman, through the sacred covenant of marriage, become a single, indivisible entity. It states that this union transforms two separate individuals into "one flesh," implying a profound unity encompassing their physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational beings. The repetition emphasizes the completeness and permanence of this transformative process, asserting that the prior state of individual distinctness is superseded by a new, unified identity in marriage.
Mark 10 8 Context
Mark 10:8 is embedded within Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce, triggered by the Pharisees' questioning regarding the lawfulness of divorce (Mk 10:2). Jesus redirects them from Mosaic permissions, given due to the hardness of hearts (Mk 10:5), back to God's original creation design (Mk 10:6). Verse 8 quotes directly from Genesis 2:24, which describes the formation of marriage immediately after the creation of man and woman. Jesus uses this foundational Scripture to assert the indissolubility of marriage according to God's original intent. His teaching challenges contemporary Jewish divorce practices, which were broadly interpreted, often favoring the man's ability to divorce for various reasons (as debated between the schools of Hillel and Shammai). Jesus' stance upholds the sacred, unbreakable bond of marriage as a divine institution.
Mark 10 8 Word analysis
- and (Greek: kai): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding one, where Jesus quotes the initial part of Genesis 2:24 regarding a man leaving his parents and being joined to his wife. It signifies a continuation and conclusion of God's original design for marital union.
- the two (Greek: hoi duo): Refers specifically to the man and woman mentioned in the immediate context (Mk 10:6-7), emphasizing their individual identity before the marital union. The definite article "the" highlights that these are specific individuals, destined for this unique union.
- shall become (Greek: esontai): The future tense of the verb "to be." This is a divine pronouncement or a declaration of what is destined to occur by God's design. It implies a transformation or a new ontological state that marriage brings about, rather than merely an aspiration or a contractual agreement. It denotes a permanent and established reality.
- one flesh (Greek: sarka mian): This is a crucial phrase.
- sarx (flesh): In biblical thought, "flesh" (Hebrew: basar) often refers to the entire human being, encompassing not just the physical body but also one's essential nature, identity, and shared life. It is more than just sexual intimacy; it denotes total surrender and integration.
- mian (one): Emphasizes singularity and indivisible unity.
- Together, "one flesh" signifies an organic, profound, and holistic union of two persons—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—into a single entity or new reality in God's sight. This union implies absolute intimacy, shared identity, and shared destiny. It's the central concept defining marital unity.
- So (Greek: hoste): A consecutive conjunction indicating a logical conclusion or result. It introduces the implication or consequence derived from the preceding divine declaration of "one flesh." It means "therefore" or "with the result that."
- they are no longer two (Greek: ouketi eisin duo):
- ouketi (no longer): A strong negative, signaling a definite and irreversible change from the previous state.
- This phrase emphasizes that in God's design, the distinct individual identities, while not eradicated, are now profoundly subsumed into the new, shared identity of the marital union. The state of separateness is transformed into a state of unity.
- but one flesh (Greek: alla mia sarx):
- alla (but): A strong adversative conjunction, presenting a powerful contrast and affirming the new, true reality.
- This phrase reiterates and underscores the profound unity established by God in marriage. It serves as a definitive statement of the marital bond's essence and permanence, against any notion of two individuals simply cohabiting. It directly supports Jesus' teaching in the subsequent verse about the indissolubility of marriage.
Mark 10 8 Bonus section
- Covenantal Basis: The concept of "one flesh" elevates marriage beyond a mere contract to a solemn, God-witnessed covenant. It is a commitment made before God, binding two individuals in a way that mere human agreement cannot.
- Foundation for Ministry: The strength and nature of the "one flesh" union are fundamental to understanding household discipleship, raising children, and engaging in Christian community, as the marital unit often forms the foundational spiritual nucleus of a household.
- Holistic Well-being: The call to become "one flesh" encompasses every aspect of life – emotional intimacy, financial unity, shared goals, spiritual fellowship, and physical affection. Disunity in any area diminishes the overall "oneness" intended by God.
- Mystery and Image: The Bible often portrays marriage as a great mystery, reflecting the profound union of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:32). In this sense, "one flesh" also serves as a living illustration of divine relationships and unity within the Godhead.
Mark 10 8 Commentary
Jesus, in quoting Genesis 2:24, re-establishes God's original intention for marriage as a divine creation ordinance, distinct from human interpretations or concessions. The core of this teaching lies in the concept of "one flesh." This is not merely a metaphor for physical union, but a profound declaration of two separate human beings becoming a unified, integrated entity in God's eyes. This union encompasses their spirits, souls, and bodies, signifying total intimacy, mutual surrender, shared purpose, and absolute belonging. The emphatic repetition – "they are no longer two but one flesh" – underscores the completeness and permanence of this transformation. Because God himself performs this joining, human beings are cautioned against attempts to dissolve what He has made into a single, unbreakable bond. This sacred bond serves as a earthly reflection of the ultimate covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church.