What does Jesus mean by "they are no more twain, but one flesh"?

When Jesus says the man and woman are no longer two but one flesh, He is going back to the creation story. God made marriage so that a husband and wife are joined as closely as if they were one person. It is like they are glued together. This is more than a feeling or a promise between two people; God Himself joins them. Because of this, marriage is meant to be a deep, lasting union, not something people break whenever they want. Jesus uses this to show why divorce should not be treated lightly.

Why did Jesus say Moses allowed divorce "because of the hardness of your hearts"?

The Pharisees pointed to Moses’ rule about giving a written divorce paper. Jesus explains that this was not God’s ideal plan, but a concession because people’s hearts were stubborn and sinful. Without some guidelines, men would have treated their wives even more harshly. So Moses allowed divorce to limit harm, not to approve it as a good thing. Jesus takes His listeners back behind that later rule to God’s original design at creation, showing that, from the beginning, God wanted marriage to be faithful and lasting.

What is the "except it be for fornication" exception about divorce and remarriage?

Jesus says that anyone who puts away a spouse and marries another commits adultery, except in the case of fornication, meaning sexual unfaithfulness. This shows how serious marriage is. Breaking the one-flesh union through sexual sin is the one ground He mentions where putting away a spouse is allowed. Even here, the passage does not urge divorce, but it does allow it. His words warn against easy divorce and careless remarriage, and remind His followers that they are dealing with a covenant that God Himself has joined together.

What does Jesus mean by people who make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus talks about three kinds of eunuchs: some are born that way, some are made that way by others, and some choose a life without marriage for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. That last group are people who freely give up marriage so they can serve God with fewer earthly ties. He is not telling everyone to do this, and He says not all can receive this saying. It is a special gift, not a rule for all. Those who are able to accept this way of life are encouraged to do so for God’s purposes.

Why did Jesus welcome little children when the disciples tried to send them away?

People brought little children to Jesus so He would lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples thought this was not important and tried to stop them. Jesus corrected them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” He shows that children matter to Him and that the kingdom belongs to those who are like them in trust and lowliness. By laying His hands on the children, He blesses them and honors those who are weak and easily pushed aside.

Why did the rich young man go away sorrowful after talking with Jesus?

The rich young man came asking what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus first pointed him to God’s commandments. When the man claimed he had kept them, Jesus touched the real issue: his attachment to wealth. He told him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow Him. This was not about buying eternal life but about laying down what ruled his heart. The man went away sad because he had many possessions and was not willing to let them go in order to follow Jesus fully.

What does the picture of a camel going through the eye of a needle mean?

Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom. A camel is a large animal, and the eye of a needle is tiny, so the image is of something humanly impossible. He is warning that riches can trap the heart, making people trust money instead of God. When the disciples are shocked and ask who can be saved, Jesus answers that what is impossible with people is possible with God. Only God’s power can free a rich person from those snares.

What does this passage teach about following Jesus and reward?

When Peter reminds Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him, Jesus answers that those who have left houses, family, or lands for His name will receive a rich return and inherit everlasting life. He also promises that His closest followers will share in His future rule, pictured as sitting on thrones. At the same time, He warns that many who are first will be last, and the last first. So following Him may cost much now, but God sees it all and will more than repay in the coming age, often in ways that reverse present status.

Why do the disciples say "it is not good to marry" after Jesus’ divorce teaching?

The disciples hear how strict Jesus’ teaching on marriage is, with divorce allowed only in the case of sexual sin, and they react by saying it might be better not to marry at all. They feel the weight of a lifelong bond that cannot be lightly broken. Jesus answers that not everyone can accept staying unmarried, only those to whom it is given. He explains that some remain single for God’s kingdom. So He does not lower the standard for marriage, but He also shows that marriage and singleness are both callings given by God.

Matt.19.1

Matthew 19:1

KJV

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

Teachings about Divorce

1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

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.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Jesus Blesses the Children

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

The Rich Young Man

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.