Matthew 5:32
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Original Language Analysis
λέγω
say
G3004
λέγω
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπολελυμένην
her that is divorced
G630
ἀπολελυμένην
her that is divorced
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
8 of 23
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὴν
her
G846
αὐτὴν
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 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
λόγου
for the cause
G3056
λόγου
for the cause
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
13 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
πορνείας
of fornication
G4202
πορνείας
of fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
14 of 23
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ποιεῖ
causeth
G4160
ποιεῖ
causeth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
15 of 23
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτὴν
her
G846
αὐτὴν
her
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 #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
20 of 23
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
Cross References
Romans 7:3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.Luke 16:18Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.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.Matthew 5:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Historical Context
This teaching would have shocked hearers used to easy male-initiated divorce. Jesus protects women from being casually discarded. The 'exception clause' for sexual immorality acknowledges that adultery breaks the covenant bond, but Jesus raises the standard far above contemporary practice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this teaching challenge modern assumptions about personal happiness and self-fulfillment?
- What does Jesus's strict view of marriage reveal about covenant faithfulness and God's character?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus permits divorce only for fornication (porneia—sexual immorality). Divorcing for other reasons makes the divorced person an adulteress if she remarries, and the man who marries her commits adultery. This protects marriage's sanctity and affirms God's creation design: one man, one woman, for life.