Matthew 19:5
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καταλείψει
leave
G2641
καταλείψει
leave
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
5 of 23
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 23
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
11 of 23
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσκολληθήσεται
shall cleave
G4347
προσκολληθήσεται
shall cleave
Strong's:
G4347
Word #:
13 of 23
to glue to, i.e., (figuratively) to adhere
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
G1519
εἰς
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
21 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.1 Corinthians 7:2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.Ephesians 5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.1 Corinthians 6:16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.Psalms 45:10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;Psalms 63:8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.Romans 12:9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Deuteronomy 10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.Deuteronomy 11:22For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;Deuteronomy 4:4But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
Historical Context
Genesis 2:24 predates Mosaic Law, making marriage a creation ordinance, not merely Jewish custom. The 'one flesh' union finds expression in sexual intimacy (1 Corinthians 6:16) but encompasses total life sharing. Jewish marriage practice included formal leaving of father's household and establishing new home. Jesus' citation shows Genesis authority for Christian ethics.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your marriage reflect the leaving, cleaving, one-flesh design?
- What prevents couples from achieving true one-flesh unity?
- How should Christian marriages model God's creation design to watching culture?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24, establishing marriage's three aspects: leaving parents, cleaving to spouse, becoming one flesh. 'Shall cleave' (Greek 'proskollao'—glue, cement together) indicates permanent bond. 'One flesh' signifies comprehensive union—physical, emotional, spiritual. Reformed marriage theology emphasizes covenant permanence and exclusive intimacy. God's design creates new family unit requiring departure from parents and establishment of new household. This verse grounds heterosexual, monogamous, permanent marriage as God's creation ordinance.