Matthew 19:9
And 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.
Matthew 19:9 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, Jesus is explaining the significance of the commitment involved in marriage. He emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of the vows taken between a husband and wife. Jesus states that divorce is only permissible in the case of infidelity, meaning that divorce should not be taken lightly or for trivial reasons. If a man divorces his wife for any reason other than adultery and remarries, he is committing adultery. Likewise, if a man marries a woman who has been divorced for reasons other than infidelity, he is also committing adultery. Jesus is highlighting the importance of faithfulness and loyalty in marriage, as well as the repercussions of breaking the marital covenant. This verse serves as a reminder of the high value that should be placed on marriage and the seriousness of the commitment made between spouses.
Theological Overview
When looking at the theological interpretation of this verse, it is important to understand the context in which it is spoken. In this passage, Jesus is addressing the issue of divorce and remarriage. The Pharisees were trying to test Him by asking about the legality of divorce, and Jesus responds by clarifying that divorce should only be allowed in the case of sexual immorality. This is significant because it emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of the commitment made between a husband and wife.
Furthermore, the word 'fornication' in this verse is translated from the Greek word 'porneia', which encompasses various forms of sexual immorality. This broad definition includes adultery, prostitution, incest, and other types of illicit sexual behavior. By specifying that divorce is only acceptable in cases of 'porneia', Jesus is reinforcing the idea that marriage should be a lifelong commitment that reflects the covenant between Christ and His church.
In conclusion, this verse highlights the importance of fidelity and commitment within marriage. It serves as a reminder that divorce should not be taken lightly and should only be considered in cases of serious sexual misconduct. By upholding the sanctity of marriage, Jesus is emphasizing the value of faithfulness and the significance of the marital bond.
Matthew 19:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
And 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.
World English Bible
I 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.”
Douay-Rheims
And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I say therefore vnto you, that whosoeuer shall put away his wife, except it be for whoredome, and marry another, committeth adulterie: and whosoeuer marieth her which is diuorced, doeth commit adulterie.