Luke 16:18 - Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 16:18" mean?
Luke 16:18 is a very concise statement about divorce and remarriage, and its meaning has been debated for centuries. Here's a breakdown of the common interpretations and complexities:
Core Meaning:
Prohibition of Divorce and Remarriage: The verse appears to straightforwardly state that divorcing one's wife and marrying another person constitutes adultery. Similarly, marrying a divorced woman is also considered adultery.
Interpretations and Considerations:
Literal Interpretation: Some Christians take this verse as an absolute and universal prohibition against divorce and remarriage under any circumstances. They believe marriage is a lifelong covenant, and divorce is only permissible in cases where a divorce has already occurred (i.e. Jesus is referencing the consequences of already having been divorced, not justifying initiating a divorce).
Contextual Interpretation:
Jesus' Audience: This verse is delivered to the Pharisees, who had a very lax interpretation of divorce (found in Deuteronomy 24:1). Jesus is likely correcting their easygoing view of marriage and divorce.
Focus on Fidelity: The verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness. Jesus might be highlighting the seriousness of breaking a marriage covenant and the potential for adultery to arise from divorce and remarriage.
"Hard Sayings" and Grace: Some argue that Jesus' teachings often present high ideals, and that grace and forgiveness are also central to the Gospel. They acknowledge the difficulty of applying this verse in every situation and emphasize the need for compassion and discernment.
Possible Exceptions: Many denominations and theologians interpret this verse in conjunction with other passages in the Gospels and Paul's letters. Some argue for exceptions to the prohibition of divorce and remarriage in certain situations, such as:
Adultery (Matthew 19:9): The Gospel of Matthew includes a phrase, "except for sexual immorality," which is often interpreted as allowing divorce in cases of adultery. This exception is absent in Luke's version.
Abandonment by an Unbelieving Spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15): Paul addresses situations where a Christian spouse is abandoned by a non-Christian spouse. Some interpret this as allowing the Christian spouse to remarry.
Abuse: Some argue that extreme cases of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse justify divorce, as the marriage covenant has already been broken by the abuser.
Key Points to Consider:
Varying Interpretations: There is no single, universally accepted interpretation of this verse. Different denominations and individuals hold different views.
Complexity of Divorce: Divorce is a complex issue with profound emotional, social, and spiritual consequences.
Importance of Counsel: Individuals facing divorce should seek guidance from trusted religious leaders, counselors, and friends.
Grace and Forgiveness: Even when mistakes have been made, the Christian faith emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption.
In summary, Luke 16:18 is a challenging verse that underscores the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of divorce. While some interpret it as an absolute prohibition against divorce and remarriage, others argue for exceptions based on specific circumstances and the broader themes of grace and forgiveness in the Gospel.
Luke 16:18 - Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
What does "Luke 16:18" mean?
Luke 16:18 is a very concise statement about divorce and remarriage, and its meaning has been debated for centuries. Here's a breakdown of the common interpretations and complexities:
Core Meaning:
Prohibition of Divorce and Remarriage: The verse appears to straightforwardly state that divorcing one's wife and marrying another person constitutes adultery. Similarly, marrying a divorced woman is also considered adultery.
Interpretations and Considerations:
Literal Interpretation: Some Christians take this verse as an absolute and universal prohibition against divorce and remarriage under any circumstances. They believe marriage is a lifelong covenant, and divorce is only permissible in cases where a divorce has already occurred (i.e. Jesus is referencing the consequences of already having been divorced, not justifying initiating a divorce).
Contextual Interpretation:
Jesus' Audience: This verse is delivered to the Pharisees, who had a very lax interpretation of divorce (found in Deuteronomy 24:1). Jesus is likely correcting their easygoing view of marriage and divorce.
Focus on Fidelity: The verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness. Jesus might be highlighting the seriousness of breaking a marriage covenant and the potential for adultery to arise from divorce and remarriage.
"Hard Sayings" and Grace: Some argue that Jesus' teachings often present high ideals, and that grace and forgiveness are also central to the Gospel. They acknowledge the difficulty of applying this verse in every situation and emphasize the need for compassion and discernment.
Possible Exceptions: Many denominations and theologians interpret this verse in conjunction with other passages in the Gospels and Paul's letters. Some argue for exceptions to the prohibition of divorce and remarriage in certain situations, such as:
Adultery (Matthew 19:9): The Gospel of Matthew includes a phrase, "except for sexual immorality," which is often interpreted as allowing divorce in cases of adultery. This exception is absent in Luke's version.
Abandonment by an Unbelieving Spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15): Paul addresses situations where a Christian spouse is abandoned by a non-Christian spouse. Some interpret this as allowing the Christian spouse to remarry.
Abuse: Some argue that extreme cases of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse justify divorce, as the marriage covenant has already been broken by the abuser.
Key Points to Consider:
Varying Interpretations: There is no single, universally accepted interpretation of this verse. Different denominations and individuals hold different views.
Complexity of Divorce: Divorce is a complex issue with profound emotional, social, and spiritual consequences.
Importance of Counsel: Individuals facing divorce should seek guidance from trusted religious leaders, counselors, and friends.
Grace and Forgiveness: Even when mistakes have been made, the Christian faith emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption.
In summary, Luke 16:18 is a challenging verse that underscores the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of divorce. While some interpret it as an absolute prohibition against divorce and remarriage, others argue for exceptions based on specific circumstances and the broader themes of grace and forgiveness in the Gospel.