Matthew 19:5 - and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ Genesis 2:24
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What does "Matthew 19:5" mean?
Matthew 19:5 quotes Genesis 2:24. Understanding the meaning requires looking at both the Genesis context and Jesus's use of it in Matthew. Here's a breakdown:
Genesis 2:24: The Original Context
"For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother..." This emphasizes the priority and new allegiance of the marriage relationship. A man is expected to establish a new independent life with his wife, separate from his parents' household. It doesn't necessarily mean total abandonment, but a shift in primary loyalty and responsibility.
"...and shall be joined to his wife..." The word "joined" (often translated as "cleave" or "hold fast") signifies a deep, intimate, and permanent bond. It's more than just physical proximity; it implies a powerful emotional, spiritual, and legal connection.
"...and the two shall become one flesh." This is the core idea of marital union. It signifies a profound unity that goes beyond physical intimacy. It speaks of a complete and inseparable merging of two individuals in all aspects of their lives: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and even socially. It suggests a loss of individual autonomy in favor of shared life and purpose.
Matthew 19:5: Jesus's Use of the Verse
In Matthew 19, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees about the permissibility of divorce. They're testing him on a controversial legal and religious issue. Jesus responds by:
1. Referring back to God's original intention in creation: He takes them back to the design of marriage from the very beginning, before any laws or traditions about divorce.
2. Quoting Genesis 2:24: By quoting this verse, Jesus reinforces the idea that marriage is not merely a social contract, but a divinely ordained institution designed for permanence and unity.
3. Adding his own commentary in verse 6: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Meaning in Matthew 19:5, as interpreted by Jesus:
Marriage is a divinely instituted relationship: Jesus uses the Genesis passage to ground marriage in God's original creative intention.
Marriage is intended for permanence: By emphasizing the "one flesh" concept and adding, "what God has joined together, let no one separate," Jesus is arguing against easy divorce. He's suggesting that marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment.
The "one flesh" union is sacred and should not be broken: Jesus sees divorce as a violation of this deep, divinely-ordained unity.
Human laws and traditions should not contradict God's original design for marriage: He's challenging the Pharisees' interpretation of the law that allowed for divorce on seemingly trivial grounds.
In Summary:
Genesis 2:24, as interpreted by Jesus in Matthew 19:5, highlights the profound unity, commitment, and permanence that should characterize marriage. It emphasizes that marriage is not merely a social contract but a divinely ordained institution where two individuals become "one flesh" in a deep and lasting way. Jesus uses this verse to argue against divorce and to affirm the sanctity and permanence of marriage as God originally intended it.
Matthew 19:5 - and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ Genesis 2:24
What does "Matthew 19:5" mean?
Matthew 19:5 quotes Genesis 2:24. Understanding the meaning requires looking at both the Genesis context and Jesus's use of it in Matthew. Here's a breakdown:
Genesis 2:24: The Original Context
"For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother..." This emphasizes the priority and new allegiance of the marriage relationship. A man is expected to establish a new independent life with his wife, separate from his parents' household. It doesn't necessarily mean total abandonment, but a shift in primary loyalty and responsibility.
"...and shall be joined to his wife..." The word "joined" (often translated as "cleave" or "hold fast") signifies a deep, intimate, and permanent bond. It's more than just physical proximity; it implies a powerful emotional, spiritual, and legal connection.
"...and the two shall become one flesh." This is the core idea of marital union. It signifies a profound unity that goes beyond physical intimacy. It speaks of a complete and inseparable merging of two individuals in all aspects of their lives: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and even socially. It suggests a loss of individual autonomy in favor of shared life and purpose.
Matthew 19:5: Jesus's Use of the Verse
In Matthew 19, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees about the permissibility of divorce. They're testing him on a controversial legal and religious issue. Jesus responds by:
1. Referring back to God's original intention in creation: He takes them back to the design of marriage from the very beginning, before any laws or traditions about divorce.
2. Quoting Genesis 2:24: By quoting this verse, Jesus reinforces the idea that marriage is not merely a social contract, but a divinely ordained institution designed for permanence and unity.
3. Adding his own commentary in verse 6: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Meaning in Matthew 19:5, as interpreted by Jesus:
Marriage is a divinely instituted relationship: Jesus uses the Genesis passage to ground marriage in God's original creative intention.
Marriage is intended for permanence: By emphasizing the "one flesh" concept and adding, "what God has joined together, let no one separate," Jesus is arguing against easy divorce. He's suggesting that marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment.
The "one flesh" union is sacred and should not be broken: Jesus sees divorce as a violation of this deep, divinely-ordained unity.
Human laws and traditions should not contradict God's original design for marriage: He's challenging the Pharisees' interpretation of the law that allowed for divorce on seemingly trivial grounds.
In Summary:
Genesis 2:24, as interpreted by Jesus in Matthew 19:5, highlights the profound unity, commitment, and permanence that should characterize marriage. It emphasizes that marriage is not merely a social contract but a divinely ordained institution where two individuals become "one flesh" in a deep and lasting way. Jesus uses this verse to argue against divorce and to affirm the sanctity and permanence of marriage as God originally intended it.