King James Version

What Does Matthew 19:4 Mean?

Matthew 19:4 in the King James Version says “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Matthew 19:4 · KJV


Context

2

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

3

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answers the divorce question by appealing to creation: 'Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female?' This grounds marriage in God's creative design, not human custom or Mosaic concession. The phrase 'at the beginning' takes the discussion back to Genesis 1-2, before sin corrupted human relationships. Reformed theology sees here the foundational importance of creation ordinances—marriage between male and female is God's design from the beginning, not culturally constructed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Pharisees' question about divorce (19:3) was contentious, with rabbis debating grounds for divorce. The school of Shammai allowed divorce only for adultery; Hillel permitted it for any cause. Jesus bypasses this debate to establish marriage's original design. His appeal to 'the beginning' transcends Mosaic Law's accommodations to human hardness of heart (19:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grounding marriage in creation affect your view of its nature and permanence?
  2. What cultural marriage practices need evaluation against biblical creation design?
  3. How should Christians respond to society's redefinition of marriage?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
1 of 17

he which

G3588

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

δὲ2 of 17

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 17

he answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 17

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτούς5 of 17

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

Οὐκ6 of 17

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀνέγνωτε7 of 17

Have ye

G314

to know again, i.e., (by extension) to read

ὅτι8 of 17

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

9 of 17

he which

G3588

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

ἐποίησεν10 of 17

made

G4160

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

ἀπ'11 of 17

them at

G575

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

ἀρχῆς12 of 17

the beginning

G746

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

ἄρσεν13 of 17

male

G730

male (as stronger for lifting)

καὶ14 of 17

and

G2532

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

θῆλυ15 of 17

female

G2338

female

ἐποίησεν16 of 17

made

G4160

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

αὐτούς17 of 17

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 19:4 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 Matthew 19:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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