King James Version

What Does Mark 10:11 Mean?

Mark 10:11 in the King James Version says “And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.”

Mark 10:11 · KJV

Context

9

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

13

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

Read Mark 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus intensified His teaching: 'Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her' (ὃς ἂν ἀπολύσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ γαμήσῃ ἄλλην μοιχᾶται ἐπ' αὐτήν). In Jewish law, only wives committed adultery against husbands; husbands could divorce wives and remarry without adultery charge. Jesus revolutionized this—husbands who divorce and remarry commit adultery 'against her' (the divorced wife). This established marital symmetry and women's personhood. The phrase 'committeth adultery' (moichatai, μοιχᾶται) indicates that remarriage after unlawful divorce is ongoing adultery, not single sinful act. Reformed theology debated whether such remarriage requires dissolution or whether repentance allows continuation. The principle is clear: divorce doesn't dissolve one-flesh union before God; remarriage after unlawful divorce constitutes adultery.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish law allowed men to divorce wives but not vice versa (except in extreme cases in later rabbinic tradition). Men could remarry without any stigma; divorced women faced severe social and economic disadvantage. Jesus' teaching that men commit adultery by divorcing and remarrying was revolutionary—it established mutual fidelity and equal moral standards. Greco-Roman culture similarly had double standards. Jesus elevated women's status, treating marriage as mutual covenant, not male prerogative. Paul echoed this (1 Cor 7:10-11), forbidding divorce or requiring celibacy/reconciliation if divorce occurs. Early church fathers (Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Augustine) universally interpreted Jesus' teaching as forbidding remarriage after divorce except for adultery or death.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' teaching that men commit adultery against their wives challenge patriarchal double standards in marriage?
  2. What does Jesus' statement that remarriage after unlawful divorce is adultery teach about marriage's permanence before God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
καὶ1 of 15

“And”

G2532

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

λέγει2 of 15

“he saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτήν·3 of 15

“her”

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

Ὃς4 of 15
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν5 of 15

“Whosoever”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ἀπολύσῃ6 of 15

“shall put away”

G630

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

τὴν7 of 15
G3588

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

γυναῖκα8 of 15

“wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

αὐτήν·9 of 15

“her”

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

καὶ10 of 15

“And”

G2532

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

γαμήσῃ11 of 15

“marry”

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

ἄλλην12 of 15

“another”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

μοιχᾶται13 of 15

“committeth adultery”

G3429

(middle voice) to commit adultery

ἐπ'14 of 15

“against”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτήν·15 of 15

“her”

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 10:11 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 Mark 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:31-32Matthew 19:91 Corinthians 7:10-11Romans 7:3Luke 16:181 Corinthians 7:4

Test Your Knowledge

Mark 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMark Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Mark 10 with CommentaryAll Mark ChaptersComplete Mark QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes