King James Version

What Does Mark 10:9 Mean?

Mark 10:9 in the King James Version says “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 10:9 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus commanded: 'What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder' (ὃ οὖν ὁ θεὸς συνέζευξεν ἄνθρωπος μὴ χωριζέτω). The verb 'joined together' (synezeuxen, συνέζευξεν) means yoked or paired—God actively unites husband and wife. The aorist tense indicates definitive, completed action at marriage. God, not merely human agreement, creates marital bond. Therefore 'let not man put asunder' (chōrizetō, χωριζέτω, separate or divorce). Human beings shouldn't dissolve what God established. This principle grounds Christian opposition to no-fault divorce—marriage isn't human institution dissolvable by mutual consent but divine ordinance requiring God's authority to dissolve. The only exception Jesus allowed was sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9), and even then as permission, not command. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) because it violates His creation design and images Christ-church union.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century practice allowed easy divorce, especially under Hillel's interpretation permitting divorce for trivial causes. Jesus' restrictive teaching shocked hearers—disciples responded, 'If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry' (Matthew 19:10). This reveals how radical Jesus' teaching was. Greco-Roman world practiced easy divorce; Jewish law (Deut 24:1-4) regulated it. Jesus returned to Genesis, asserting creational permanence over legal accommodation. The early church maintained Jesus' strict standard despite cultural pressure. Augustine developed theology of marriage's indissolubility; Reformers debated whether desertion (1 Cor 7:15) constituted second exception. Contemporary evangelicalism often adopts cultural accommodation rather than Jesus' creational norm.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' statement that God joins couples together challenge contemporary view of marriage as purely human agreement?
  2. What does Jesus' restrictive teaching on divorce (despite Mosaic permission) reveal about prioritizing God's creational design over cultural accommodation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
ὃ1 of 8

“What”

G3739

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

οὖν2 of 8

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὁ3 of 8
G3588

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

θεὸς4 of 8

“God”

G2316

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

συνέζευξεν5 of 8

“hath joined together”

G4801

to yoke together, i.e., (figuratively) conjoin (in marriage)

ἄνθρωπος6 of 8

“man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

μὴ7 of 8

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

χωριζέτω8 of 8

“let”

G5563

to place room between, i.e., part; reflexively, to go away

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 10:9 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 10:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 7:1-3

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