Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
What does Matthew 19:6 mean?
The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 19:3-6 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 19:6
Wherefore they are no more twain,.... They were two before marriage, but now no more so; not but that they remain two distinct persons, but one flesh; or, as the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "one body": hence the wife is to beloved by the husband as his own body, as himself, as his own flesh, Ephesians 5:28 .
Key words
- Wherefore
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Wherefore they are no more twain,.
- twain
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Wherefore they are no more twain,.
- flesh
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They were two before marriage, but now no more so; not but that they remain two distinct persons, but one flesh; or, as the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "one body": hence the wife is to beloved by the husband as his own body, as himself, as his own flesh, Ephesians 5:28 .
Context in Matthew 19
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Matthew 19 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as conflict and parables of the kingdom. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.