Matthew 19:1-12 Meaning: Jesus Departs Galilee and Teaches on Marriage
1When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
2Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
3Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
4He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
5and 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’?
6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
7They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”
8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.
9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.”
10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
1And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan;
2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judæa beyond the Jordan;
2and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
5and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?
6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?
8He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.
10The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.
11But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
12For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
1And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these words, he removed from Galilee, and did come to the borders of Judea, beyond the Jordan,
2and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
3And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, `Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?'
4And he answering said to them, `Did ye not read, that He who made them , from the beginning a male and a female made them,
5and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall be--the two--for one flesh?
6so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.'
7They say to him, `Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'
8He saith to them--`Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so.
9`And I say to you, that, whoever may put away his wife, if not for whoredom, and may marry another, doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away, doth commit adultery.'
10His disciples say to him, `If the case of the man with the woman is so, it is not good to marry.'
11And he said to them, `All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given;
12for there are eunuchs who from the mother's womb were so born; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who kept themselves eunuchs because of the reign of the heavens: he who is able to receive it --let him receive.'
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, he withdrew from Galilee, and came to the coasts of Judaea beyond the Jordan;
2and great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3And the Pharisees came to him tempting him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4But he answering said [to them], Have ye not read that he who made [them], from the beginning made them male and female,
5and said, On account of this a man shall leave father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh?
6so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
7They say to him, Why then did Moses command to give a letter of divorce and to send [her] away?
8He says to them, Moses, in view of your hardheartedness, allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not thus.
9But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, not for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries one put away commits adultery.
10His disciples say to him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11And he said to them, All cannot receive this word, but those to whom it has been given;
12for there are eunuchs which have been born thus from [their] mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs who have made eunuchs of themselves for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus leaves Galilee for his final journey to Jerusalem, teaching about the permanence of marriage, the exception for sexual immorality, and the gift of celibacy for
Context
This passage marks a turning point in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus finishes his teaching in Galilee and begins his final journey toward Jerusalem. He crosses the Jordan into Judea, where John had ministered. Great crowds follow him, and he heals them. The Pharisees test him with a question about divorce. Jesus does not take their bait. He reaches back to creation to restate God's original design for marriage. His answer is so high that even his disciples struggle. The passage moves from public confrontation to private conversation, where Jesus opens up the possibility of a life devoted to God outside of marriage. All of this happens as the shadow of the cross draws nearer.
Key Words
Two Greek words anchor Jesus' argument. First, when Jesus says Moses permitted divorce “because of the hardness of your hearts,” the word is sklērokardia, a combination of sklēros (hard, dry) and kardia (heart). It pictures a heart that has become stiff and unresponsive to God's gentle design. The permission was a concession to human stubbornness, not God's ideal. Second, when Jesus says “what God has joined together,” the verb is synezeugnumi, literally “yoked together,” like two oxen pulling the same plow. Marriage is not a contract you can dissolve but a yoking that God himself fastens. Finally, when Jesus says “not everyone can receive this saying,” the verb chorō means “to make room for.” It is the word for holding something, like a vessel receiving water. The ability to embrace either marriage or singleness as a gift is not a human achievement. It must be given. Each of these words shows us a God who cares about the condition of our hearts and the bonds He creates.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood the exception clause, “except for sexual immorality,” in different ways. Some see it as a clear allowance for divorce and remarriage when a spouse has been unfaithful. Others interpret it more narrowly, as a reference to marriages within forbidden degrees or as grounds for separation without the right to remarry. The mention of eunuchs has also been read variously. Many Protestant traditions see it as affirming lifelong singleness as a valid calling. Catholic and Orthodox traditions see it as the foundation for a celibate priesthood and monastic life. Both readings agree that Jesus lifts up the goodness of marriage while also honoring those who choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading of this passage is to think Jesus is commanding all believers to remain single if they want to be truly devoted to God. In fact, Jesus says twice that “he who is able to receive it, let him receive it.” The ability is a gift, not a rule for everyone. He lists three types of eunuchs, including those born that way and those made by men. Singleness comes in many forms, some chosen and some not. The point is not that marriage is inferior, but that every life circumstance can be lived for the Kingdom.
Living This Out
This week, consider what it means to honor God's design in your own relationships. If you are married, ask yourself: am I treating my spouse as a gift God has yoked me to, or am I looking for ways to escape? If you are single, ask: am I using my freedom to serve the Kingdom, or am I resenting my situation? Jesus' words call us to trust the Creator's pattern, even when it feels difficult. He does not leave us with a high standard and no help: “All cannot receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.” He gives the grace to embrace whatever calling He has for you.
Main takeaway: God's original design for marriage is a life-long union, and singleness can be a gift for serving His Kingdom, both received by His grace.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus said that when a man and a woman get married, God joins them together like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. He wants us to love our families and never try to pull them apart. And He also loves people who are not married; they can serve Him in special ways.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus was heading toward Jerusalem to die for us, and along the way He taught about marriage. Some people thought divorce was fine for any reason, but Jesus said God's plan from the beginning was for a husband and wife to stay together for life. He also said that some people are called to stay single so they can focus on God's work. Both marriage and singleness are ways to honor God, and He gives each person the strength they need for their own path.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus go to the region beyond the Jordan?
Jesus was making his final journey to Jerusalem for the Passover, where he would be crucified. Going beyond the Jordan was a significant route, perhaps evoking the memory of John the Baptist who baptized there. It shows Jesus deliberately moving toward his destiny.
What does 'except for sexual immorality' mean in Matthew 19:9?
This is a much-debated phrase. The Greek word porneia covers a range of sexual sins. Many Christians understand it as a legitimate ground for divorce and remarriage. Others see it as referring to marriages that were invalid from the start, such as incest, or as grounds for separation but not remarriage. The key is that Jesus makes an exception, showing God's mercy even while upholding the ideal of permanence.
What are the three kinds of eunuchs Jesus mentions?
First, those born without the ability to marry, either physically or constitutionally. Second, those made eunuchs by others, like court officials. Third, those who choose to remain unmarried for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus affirms that each situation can be lived for God's glory.
Is it a sin to divorce according to Jesus?
Jesus says that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery. This means divorce is a serious matter that goes against God's original design. However, the exception clause shows that there are circumstances where divorce is permitted. Christians differ on whether remarriage is allowed after a divorce that was not for porneia.
What does it mean that 'not everyone can receive this saying'?
This refers to the disciples' observation that it might be better not to marry. Jesus says that the ability to remain single as a calling is a gift from God, not something everyone can simply decide to do. It is not a command but an invitation for those to whom it is given.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study