What God Has Joined Together: What Does Matthew 19:6 Mean?

Matthew 19:6 reads, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” King James Version (KJV)

TranslationMatthew 19:6
ESVSo they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
NASB“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
NIVSo they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
NLTSince they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Also see, what does Beloved Let Us Love One Another mean? to learn more.

What God Has Joined Together: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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 asking whether they had not read the account of the creation, and the first example of marriage; thus pointing out that every departure therefrom was wrong.

That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and kept to accordingly, which is best for our souls, and tends most to prepare us for, and preserve us to, the kingdom of heaven.

When the gospel is really embraced, it makes men kind relatives and faithful friends; it teaches them to bear the burdens, and to bear with the infirmities of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace and happiness more than their own.

As to ungodly persons, it is proper that they should be restrained by laws, from breaking the peace of society. And we learn that the married state should be entered upon with great seriousness and earnest prayer.

Also see, what does No One Can Snatch Them Out of My Hand mean? to learn more.

Matthew 19:6 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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 up by causeless divorces.

Also see, what does He Who Finds A Wife mean? to learn more.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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