Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

◄ Matthew 19:6 ►

New International Version
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

New Living Translation
Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

English Standard Version
So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Berean Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Berean Literal Bible
so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God united together, let man not separate."

King James Bible
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

New King James Version
So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

New American Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.”

NASB 1995
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

NASB 1977
“Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Amplified Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Christian Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate."”

American Standard Version
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Contemporary English Version
Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple God has joined together."

English Revised Version
So that they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don't let anyone separate what God has joined together."

Good News Translation
So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together."

International Standard Version
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must never separate."

Majority Standard Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

NET Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

New Heart English Bible
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no one separate."

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. Therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Weymouth New Testament
Thus they are no longer two, but 'one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

World English Bible
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
So that they are no longer two, but one flesh; what therefore God joined together, let no man separate.”

Berean Literal Bible
so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God united together, let man not separate."

Young's Literal Translation
so that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.'

Smith's Literal Translation
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has yoked together, let not man separate.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, now they are not two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.”

New American Bible
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

New Revised Standard Version
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Henceforth they are not two, but one body; therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Therefore they were not two, but one flesh. The things therefore that God has united let not a man separate.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

Godbey New Testament
So they are no longer two, but one flesh: therefore what God joined together, let no man separate.

Haweis New Testament
Wherefore they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath yoked together, let no man separate.

Mace New Testament
so that they are not now two, but one, what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Weymouth New Testament
Thus they are no longer two, but 'one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

Worrell New Testament
so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What, therefore, God joined together, let not man put asunder."

Worsley New Testament
so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. And therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Teachings about Divorce
…5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Mark 10:8-9
and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. / Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

1 Corinthians 6:16
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Romans 7:2
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.

Ephesians 5:28-29
In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. / Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Proverbs 2:17
who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Treasury of Scripture

Why they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

God.

Proverbs 2:17
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

Malachi 2:14
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Mark 10:9
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

hath.

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Apart Asunder Flesh Join Joined Longer Separate Tear Together Twain Wherefore

Matthew 19

1. Jesus heals the sick;
3. answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;
10. shows when marriage is necessary;
13. receives the little children;
16. instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;
20. and how to be perfect;
23. tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;
27. and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.

Berean Study Bible

So they are no longer two
This phrase emphasizes the transformation that occurs in marriage. The Greek word for "no longer" (οὐκέτι, ouketi) signifies a definitive change in status. Historically, marriage in Jewish culture was not just a social contract but a divine covenant. The two individuals, once separate, are now united in a profound and spiritual way. This reflects the Genesis account of creation, where God made Eve from Adam's rib, symbolizing that man and woman are inherently connected.

but one flesh
The term "one flesh" (μία σὰρξ, mia sarx) is deeply rooted in the creation narrative of Genesis 2:24, where a man leaves his parents and cleaves to his wife. This union is not merely physical but encompasses emotional, spiritual, and covenantal dimensions. In the conservative Christian perspective, this unity is sacred and reflects the mystery of Christ's relationship with the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:31-32. The "one flesh" union is a divine mystery that transcends human understanding, symbolizing complete unity and harmony.

Therefore what God has joined together
The phrase "what God has joined together" (ὃ οὖν ὁ Θεὸς συνέζευξεν, ho oun ho Theos synezeuxen) underscores the divine origin and authority over the marriage covenant. The verb "joined together" (συνέζευξεν, synezeuxen) implies a yoking or binding, indicating that marriage is not merely a human agreement but a divine ordinance. In the historical context, Jewish weddings were seen as orchestrated by God, and this view is affirmed by Jesus, who elevates marriage to a sacred institution established by God Himself.

let man not separate
This command (χωριζέτω, chorizeto) is a strong prohibition against human interference in the divine union of marriage. The Greek verb "separate" implies a tearing apart or division, which is contrary to God's design. In the conservative Christian view, this underscores the permanence and sanctity of marriage. Divorce, therefore, is seen as a deviation from God's original plan. Historically, the Pharisees debated the grounds for divorce, but Jesus' teaching here reaffirms the indissolubility of marriage as intended from creation.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) What therefore God hath joined.--Strictly interpreted, the words go further than those of Matthew 5:32, and appear to forbid divorce under all circumstances. They are, however, rather the expression of the principle that should underlie laws, than the formulated law itself, and, as such, they assert the true ideal of marriage without making provision (such as was made before) for that which violates and annuls the ideal. It is remarkable that the essence of the marriage is made to depend, not on laws, or contracts, or religious ceremonies, but on the natural fact of union. Strictly speaking, that constitutes, or should constitute, marriage. The sin of all illicit intercourse, whether in adultery, or concubinage, or prostitution, is that it separates that union from the relations and duties which the divine order has attached to and makes. if Simply minister to the lusts of man's lower nature. The evil of every system that multiplies facilities for divorce is that it treats as temporary what was designed to be permanent, and reduces marriage, so far as it goes, to concubinage durante bene placito. This may, in some stages of social progress, as the next verses indicate, be the least of two evils; but it does not cease to be an evil, and the efforts of all teachers and legislators should be directed to raise the standard of duty rather than to acquiesce in its debasement.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - Wherefore (ὥστε); so that. This follows from the quotation just given. Our Lord explains and confirms the original dictum by an assertion of his own and a general law. What God hath joined together. The institution of marriage is God's appointment. Christ says ο{, what, neuter singular, not "those whom," plural and concrete, that he may make it clear that he is here speaking in the abstract, not specially of Adam and Eve. What he enunciates is true of all wedlock, not simply of the case of our first parents. Let not man put asunder. Man does thus infringe the primitive rule when he divorces his with. Herein he opposes God and acts against nature. He and his wife are one; they can no more separate from one another than they can from themselves. If we regard our Lord's language in this passage without prejudice, and not reading into it modern notions, we must consider that he here decrees the indissolubility of the marriage tie. His hearers plainly understood him so to speak, as we see from the objection which they urged.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

So
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

they are
εἰσὶν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no longer
οὐκέτι (ouketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.

two,
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

one
μία (mia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

flesh.
σὰρξ (sarx)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

Therefore
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

what
ὃ (ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has joined together,
συνέζευξεν (synezeuxen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4801: To yoke together, unite (as man and wife). From sun and the base of zeugos; to yoke together, i.e. conjoin.

[let] man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

separate.”
χωριζέτω (chōrizetō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5563: From chora; to place room between, i.e. Part; reflexively, to go away.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 19:6 So that they are no more two (Matt. Mat Mt)