Matthew 19:6
What does Matthew 19:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 19:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 19:6 means
Jesus concluded His argument by stating that the marital union, where two become one flesh, is established by God Himself. Therefore, no human being has the authority to break apart what God has joined together. This declaration elevates marriage beyond human jurisdiction and places it under divine protection, emphasizing its sacred and indissoluble nature in God's sight. It is a powerful affirmation of marriage's permanence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Then let not that which has been joined by God be parted by man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What thereforeGod has joined together, let not man separate.
Context
This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to Jesus's initial argument regarding marriage, directly following His citation of Genesis about becoming 'one flesh.' It acts as a divine prohibition against human-initiated divorce, directly confronting the Pharisees' question and setting up their inevitable counter-argument regarding Moses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 10:9
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
- Romans 7:2
For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
- Proverbs 2:17
That forsaketh the friend of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God:
- Malachi 2:14
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
- Ephesians 5:28
Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:
- Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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