King James Version

What Does Mark 10:6 Mean?

Mark 10:6 in the King James Version says “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

Mark 10:6 · KJV


Context

4

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answered the Pharisees' question about divorce by returning to creation: 'from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female' (ἀπὸ δὲ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεός). This quotes Genesis 1:27, establishing that binary sexual differentiation (male and female) is God's creational design, not social construct. The phrase 'from the beginning' (ap' archēs, ἀπὸ δὲ ἀρχῆς) makes creation God's normative revelation for marriage, predating the fall and Mosaic legislation. Jesus teaches that God's original design, not later accommodations to sin, reveals His will. This hermeneutical principle—reading Scripture through creation lens—grounds Christian ethics in God's pre-fall design. Gender complementarity is foundational to marriage, rooted in how God created humanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Genesis 1:27 states, 'God created man in his own image... male and female created he them.' This binary distinction is foundational to human identity and marriage. First-century Judaism affirmed this, though Greek philosophy sometimes promoted androgyny or gender fluidity (Plato's Symposium). Jesus' appeal to creation established permanent, transcultural norms versus culturally conditioned regulations. The early church followed this hermeneutic—1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 11:3-16; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:12-14 all ground theology in creation design. Reformed theology emphasizes creation ordinances (male-female complementarity, marriage, work, Sabbath) as universally binding, predating special revelation and transcending cultural change.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' appeal to 'the beginning' challenge modern attempts to redefine marriage and gender based on contemporary culture rather than creation design?
  2. What does this teach about using creation as interpretive lens for understanding God's will versus reading Scripture through cultural accommodation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ἀπὸ1 of 11

from

G575

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

δὲ2 of 11

But

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀρχῆς3 of 11

the beginning

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

κτίσεως4 of 11

of the creation

G2937

original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)

ἄρσεν5 of 11

male

G730

male (as stronger for lifting)

καὶ6 of 11

and

G2532

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

θῆλυ7 of 11

female

G2338

female

ἐποίησεν8 of 11

made

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

αὐτοὺς9 of 11

them

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

10 of 11
G3588

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

θεός11 of 11

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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