Matthew 19:4
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Matthew 19:4 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Matthew in the Bible highlights the importance of recognizing the divine creation of gender. In this passage, Jesus is emphasizing the foundational truth that God created humans distinctly as male and female. By referencing the creation account in Genesis, Jesus is affirming the inherent worth and purpose of both genders as part of God's original design. This verse serves as a reminder that gender is not a societal construct, but rather a reflection of God's intentional and intricate plan for humanity. It reinforces the idea that each gender holds unique value and significance in God's eyes.
Theological Overview
One important theological interpretation of this verse from the book of Matthew highlights the significance of God's design for gender. Jesus references the creation account from Genesis, emphasizing that God intentionally created human beings as male and female. This assertion underscores the uniqueness and purpose of each gender, as well as the complementary nature of male and female. The theological implication is that gender is not a coincidence or a social construct, but rather a deliberate creation by God. This interpretation has implications for how we view gender identity and roles within society, pointing to the inherent value and purpose of both men and women as part of God's design.
Matthew 19:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made [them] from the beginning made them male and female,
World English Bible
He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
Douay-Rheims
Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he answered and sayd vnto them, Haue ye not read, that hee which made them at the beginning, made them male and female,