Matthew 19 6

Matthew 19:6 kjv

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matthew 19:6 nkjv

So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Matthew 19:6 niv

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Matthew 19:6 esv

So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

Matthew 19:6 nlt

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 6 Meaning

Matthew 19:6 concludes Jesus' teaching on marriage, declaring the profound unity established by God between husband and wife. It states that once joined, a married couple is no longer two separate entities but a single, indivisible "one flesh." Therefore, it unequivocally prohibits human intervention—whether by the spouses themselves, others, or institutions—to dissolve what God Himself has brought together. The verse highlights marriage as a sacred, divine institution, emphasizing its permanence and inviolable nature according to God's original design.

Matthew 19 6 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' response to a question from the Pharisees regarding the lawfulness of divorce (Mt 19:3). They were testing Jesus, knowing that interpretations of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 varied widely, with the school of Hillel permitting divorce for almost any reason, and the school of Shammai holding a stricter view.

Instead of engaging in their legalistic debate, Jesus appeals to the original design for marriage found in the creation account (Mt 19:4-5), before the Mosaic Law. He takes them back to Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, quoting directly to establish the divine foundation of marriage. Verse 6 then draws a profound theological conclusion from this foundation: since God created humanity male and female for a lifelong "one flesh" union, no human being has the authority to undo it. Jesus explicitly refutes the prevalent easy divorce practices, challenging contemporary societal and religious norms that allowed men to divorce their wives arbitrarily. He restores marriage to its intended sanctity, unity, and permanence. The subsequent discussion in Matthew 19 then delves into the disciples' shocked reaction and Jesus' further clarification on grounds for divorce and celibacy.

Matthew 19 6 Word analysis

• So (ὥστε - hoste): This Greek conjunction indicates a logical consequence or result. It signals that what follows is a direct conclusion drawn from the foundational truth established in the preceding verse—that God's design at creation was for two to become "one flesh."

• they are no longer (οὐκέτι - ouketi): A strong negative adverbial phrase. It means "no longer" or "not anymore." It emphasizes a definitive and irreversible change of status from individual persons to a unified entity once married. This is a theological transformation, not merely a legal one.

• two (δύο - dyo): Refers to the prior individual existence of the man and the woman. Before marriage, they are separate; after, they become inextricably linked in God's eyes.

• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting a direct contrast between the previous state ("two") and the new state ("one flesh").

• one flesh (μία σάρξ - mia sarx): This pivotal phrase is taken directly from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) translation of Genesis 2:24.

  • one (μία - mia): Signifies singular unity and indivisibility. It's not merely joining forces, but merging identities into a cohesive whole.
  • flesh (σάρξ - sarx): In biblical anthropology, "flesh" can refer to human beings in their entirety, including physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. "One flesh" implies a total union: physically (sexual intimacy creating new life), relationally (shared life, identity, possessions), emotionally, and spiritually. It is an exclusive and profound bond that transcends mere contractual agreement. Scholars emphasize it represents a unique relational unity creating a new domestic family unit from God's design.

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): This connective reinforces the logical progression. Because the marital union is a "one flesh" reality, divinely ordained, it logically leads to the ensuing command.

• what (ὃ - ho): Refers to the sacred union of marriage itself. It encompasses the entirety of the marriage bond, highlighting its comprehensive nature.

• God (ὁ Θεὸς - ho Theos): Identifies the ultimate agent and authority behind the marital union. Marriage is not merely a human social contract or a culturally devised arrangement; it is fundamentally a divine institution established and initiated by God Himself. This underscores its sacredness and sets it apart from all other human relationships.

• has joined together (συνέζευξεν - synezeuxen): This is a key verb.

  • From synzeúgnymi (συνζεύγνυμι).
  • syn- (συν): The prefix means "together with," emphasizing the bringing together of separate parts into a single entity.
  • zeúgnymi (ζεύγνυμι): Means "to yoke" or "to fasten together." It literally describes harnessing animals to a yoke for shared work, signifying a permanent, cooperative, and burden-sharing union. Metaphorically, it implies a bond that ties two lives together for a common purpose, indicating indissoluble commitment and shared destiny. It's an active, purposeful joining by a superior agent, which is God. This term highlights the binding nature of marriage as willed by God.

• let no one (ἄνθρωπος μὴ... - anthrōpos mē...): This phrase contains a universal prohibition.

  • no one (ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos): Refers to any human being, whether the spouses themselves, family members, community leaders, or civil authorities. The prohibition applies universally to humanity.
  • not (μὴ - mē): A particle used with the imperative to express a strong prohibition.

• separate (χωριζέτω - chōrizetō): A present active imperative from chōrizō (χωρίζω), meaning "to divide," "to put apart," or "to separate." The imperative mood expresses a direct command, and the present tense indicates a continuing action, meaning "let them not be separating" or "let them not be pulling apart." This term directly addresses divorce or any act that would break the divinely established "one flesh" union. It stands as a direct challenge to the human tendency to undo divine order.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "no longer two, but one flesh": This phrase encapsulates the profound transformation that occurs in marriage. It's not just a legal status but a spiritual and existential unity. This unity is divinely established and meant to be indivisible.
  • "what God has joined together": This assigns the authorship and authority of marriage squarely to God. It highlights that marriage is sacred and ordained by divine decree, not human preference or custom. It asserts God's sovereignty over this foundational human relationship.
  • "let no one separate": This is the direct imperative and conclusion. It is a protective command from God through Jesus, shielding the sacred institution of marriage from human interference, dissolution, or attempts to annul a divine bond. This is a powerful counter-cultural statement challenging the permissive divorce laws and attitudes of Jesus' day and indeed of any era.

Matthew 19 6 Bonus section

• The Radical Nature of Jesus' Teaching: In the 1st century, divorce was easily obtained, especially by men, with interpretations of Dt 24:1 allowing for various trivial grounds. Jesus' teaching here directly opposes such leniency, returning to a stricter, Edenic standard for marriage. His words were shocking to his contemporaries, even leading His disciples to exclaim that it might be better not to marry at all (Mt 19:10). This highlights how revolutionary and counter-cultural His stance was, aligning with God's perfect will rather than human concession.
• Marriage as a Mystery (Ephesians 5:31-32): Paul, in Eph 5, uses the "one flesh" concept in marriage to describe the profound spiritual union between Christ and the Church. This elevates the significance of human marriage even further, portraying it as a visible illustration or mystery reflecting the covenant relationship between Christ, the Bridegroom, and His bride, the Church. This means Christian marriage is not just a societal structure, but a sacred covenant designed to testify to Christ's faithful love.
• Implications for Vows: The phrase "what God has joined together" reinforces the gravity of wedding vows. They are made before God, and He is understood to be actively present in uniting the couple, thus elevating the human promise into a sacred covenant sealed by divine participation.
• Emphasis on Divine Initiative: Jesus clearly attributes the union to "God has joined," not "man and woman decided to join." While human consent is required, the underlying theological principle is that God actively oversees and approves this bond, making it different from any other contract.

Matthew 19 6 Commentary

Matthew 19:6 stands as a cornerstone of Christian teaching on marriage. Jesus, confronted with human questions about divorce, redirects focus from legalistic exceptions back to God's original, perfect intention at creation. He establishes that marriage is not merely a social contract, but a supernatural act of God: He is the one who "joins together." The resulting state is "one flesh," a deep, indivisible unity spanning physical intimacy, emotional bond, and shared identity. This phrase signifies a holistic and total belonging that creates a new social and spiritual entity from two individuals.

Because God initiates and sanctifies this bond, human beings—whether the husband, the wife, legal systems, or societal pressures—lack the authority to undo it. "Let no one separate" is a powerful, protective command from Jesus, underscoring the permanence and sanctity of marriage. It portrays divorce not as a convenient legal option, but as an act that opposes the divine will and design. This teaching, radical in Jesus' time and often counter-cultural today, calls believers to uphold the covenant of marriage with utmost reverence, seeing it as a reflection of God's faithful and unbreakable covenant love. Practically, it encourages unwavering commitment, perseverance through challenges, and seeking God's grace to sustain the divinely intended lifelong union. It underscores that challenges within a marriage are to be met with effort towards reconciliation and strengthening, rather than dissolution.