and they twain. This is added by the Lord to Genesis 2:24 . See App-107 and App-117 . they twain = the two. flesh. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), put for the whole person. App-6 . read more
And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female.As always, Christ referred the issue to higher ground, not to what Moses said, but to what God had said. Bypassing Moses altogether, he rested his case upon the word of God, appealing to Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 5:2. read more
And said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.Jesus' answer was plain, even blunt. God does not allow divorce. There's really no problem at all about knowing God's will. To be sure, problems and difficulties occur, but from what sinful men do, not from any ambiguity regarding what God commanded!... read more
Matthew 19:4-7. And he answered, &c.— The accounts which St. Matthew and St. Mark have given of this matter, though they seem to clash upon the first view, are in reality perfectly consistent. The two historians, indeed, take notice of different particulars; but these, when joined together, mutually throw a light on each other. According to both the evangelists, the Pharisees came with an insidious intention, and asked our Lord's opinion concerning divorce. But the answer returned to their... read more
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—or better, perhaps, "He that made them made them from the beginning a male and a female." read more
5. And said, For this cause—to follow out this divine appointment. shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?—Jesus here sends them back to the original constitution of man as one pair, a male and a female; to their marriage, as such, by divine appointment; and to the purpose of God, expressed by the sacred historian, that in all time one man and one woman should by marriage become one flesh—so to continue as long as both are in the... read more
1. Instruction about marriage 19:3-12 (cf. Mark 10:2-12)Matthew evidently included this instruction because the marriage relationships of Jesus’ disciples were important factors in their effective ministries. Jesus clarified God’s will for His disciples, which was different from the common perception of His day. He dealt with the single state as well as the essence of marriage and the subjects of divorce and remarriage. read more
A. Jesus’ instruction of His disciples around Judea 19:3-20:34The primary emphasis in this section of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus’ instruction of His disciples to prepare them for the future. Specifically, He emphasized the importance of the first becoming last and the last first: humble servanthood (cf. Matthew 19:30; Matthew 20:16). read more
VI. THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION AND REJECTION OF THE KING 19:3-25:46This section of the Gospel continues Jesus’ instruction of His disciples in preparation for their future (Matthew 19:3 to Matthew 20:34). Then Jesus presented Himself formally to Israel as her King with His triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-17). This resulted in strong rejection by Israel’s leaders (Matthew 21:18 to Matthew 22:46). Consequently Jesus pronounced His rejection of Israel (ch. 23). Finally He revealed to His disciples... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 19:4
Have ye not read . . . ? See App-143 . at = from. Greek. apo. the beginning. See note on John 8:44 . male and female = a male and a female. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1:27 ). This settles the theory of evolution. male. Greek. arsen. App-123 . read more