Luke 16:18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
First-century Jewish debate centered on Deuteronomy 24:1's phrase 'some uncleanness.' The School of Shammai restricted divorce to sexual immorality; the School of Hillel permitted divorce for trivial reasons (burnt food, a prettier woman). In Roman culture, both men and women could easily divorce. Yet Jesus returns to Genesis rather than debating Deuteronomy, asserting God's creational intent: marriage is permanent covenant that only death should dissolve.
Matthew 19:9 includes an exception clause—'except for fornication' (porneia)—suggesting sexual immorality may permit divorce and remarriage. Mark and Luke's accounts lack this exception, perhaps because they're addressing Gentile audiences where the sexual immorality exception was understood, or because they're emphasizing marriage's ideal permanence. Either way, Jesus treats divorce as always tragic, always involving sin (either the divorce itself or the conditions necessitating it), and always contrary to God's design. Christians should pursue lifelong marital faithfulness as witness to Christ's unbreakable covenant with His church (Ephesians 5:25-32).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' teaching on divorce demonstrate that the kingdom raises rather than lowers God's moral standards?
- What does marriage's permanence reveal about God's character and His covenant faithfulness to His people?
- How should churches balance Jesus' strong prohibition of divorce with compassion for those experiencing marital breakdown?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. Jesus gives a concrete example of law's enduring moral authority (v. 17). The statement is absolute: 'Whosoever putteth away his wife' (πᾶς ὁ ἀπολύων τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, pas ho apolyōn tēn gynaika autou), 'and marrieth another' (καὶ γαμῶν ἑτέραν, kai gamōn heteran), 'committeth adultery' (μοιχεύει, moicheuei). The present tense indicates ongoing state—remarriage after divorce constitutes continuous adultery.
The second clause extends the prohibition: 'whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband' (ὁ ἀπολελυμένην ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς γαμῶν, ho apolelymēnēn apo andros gamōn) also 'committeth adultery' (μοιχεύει, moicheuei). Both the divorcing spouse who remarries and the person who marries a divorced person commit adultery. This teaching directly challenged both Roman law (which permitted easy divorce) and Pharisaic interpretation (which debated grounds for divorce based on Deuteronomy 24:1).
Jesus affirms God's original design for marriage: permanent, exclusive covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Moses permitted divorce due to hard hearts (Matthew 19:8), but this was concession to sin, not God's ideal. Jesus raises the standard, calling His followers to honor marriage's permanence. This illustrates how the kingdom doesn't abolish law but reveals its true, radical demands.