King James Version

What Does Luke 16:18 Mean?

Luke 16:18 in the King James Version says “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”

Luke 16:18 · KJV

Context

16

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

17

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18

Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

19

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Read Luke 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' teaching on divorce demonstrate that the kingdom raises rather than lowers God's moral standards?
  2. What does marriage's permanence reveal about God's character and His covenant faithfulness to His people?
  3. How should churches balance Jesus' strong prohibition of divorce with compassion for those experiencing marital breakdown?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
πᾶς1 of 18

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ2 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολελυμένην3 of 18

“her that is put away”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

τὴν4 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γυναῖκα5 of 18

“wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

αὐτοῦ6 of 18
G846

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

καὶ7 of 18

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γαμῶν8 of 18

“marrieth”

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

ἑτέραν9 of 18

“another”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

μοιχεύει10 of 18

“committeth adultery”

G3431

to commit adultery

καὶ11 of 18

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πᾶς12 of 18

“Whosoever”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολελυμένην14 of 18

“her that is put away”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

ἀπὸ15 of 18

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἀνδρὸς16 of 18

“her husband”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

γαμῶν17 of 18

“marrieth”

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

μοιχεύει18 of 18

“committeth adultery”

G3431

to commit adultery

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 16:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 16:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 19:9Mark 10:11-12Matthew 5:31-321 Corinthians 7:10-121 Corinthians 7:4

Test Your Knowledge

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