CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 19:4 Jesus answered, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/19-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/40_Mat_19_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 19:4 - Teachings about Divorce" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus answered, Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/19-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/19-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm" title="Matthew 19:3">◄</a> Matthew 19:4 <a href="/matthew/19-5.htm" title="Matthew 19:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/19.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Haven&#8217t you read,&#8221 he replied, &#8220that at the beginning the Creator &#8216made them male and female,&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/19.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” <a href="/esv/matthew/19.htm">English Standard Version</a> He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ <a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering He said, "Have you not read that the One having created from the beginning 'made them male and female,' <a href="/kjv/matthew/19.htm">King James Bible</a> And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/nkjv/matthew/19.htm">New King James Version</a> And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, <a href="/nasb/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He answered and said, &#8220Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, <a href="/nasb77/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He answered and said, “Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, <a href="/lsb/matthew/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, <a href="/amp/matthew/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He replied, “Have you never read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, <a href="/csb/matthew/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/hcsb/matthew/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Haven&#8217t you read,&#8221 He replied, &#8220that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female,&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/19.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/cev/matthew/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "Don't you know in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman? <a href="/erv/matthew/19.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he which made them from the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/gwt/matthew/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus answered, "Haven't you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning <a href="/gnt/matthew/19.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? <a href="/isv/matthew/19.htm">International Standard Version</a> He answered them, "Haven't you read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female' <a href="/msb/matthew/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, ?Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ?made them male and female,? <a href="/net/matthew/19.htm">NET Bible</a> He answered, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female, <a href="/nheb/matthew/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He answered, and said, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/wbt/matthew/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he answered and said to them, Have ye not read, that he who made them, at the beginning made them male and female, <a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them 'made them' from the beginning 'male and female, <a href="/web/matthew/19.htm">World English Bible</a> He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He answering said to them, “Did you not read that He who made [them] from the beginning, made them a male and a female, <a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering He said, "Have you not read that the One having created from the beginning 'made them male and female,' <a href="/ylt/matthew/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he answering said to them, 'Did ye not read, that He who made them, from the beginning a male and a female made them, <a href="/slt/matthew/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having answered, he said to them, Have ye not read, that he having made from the beginning, made them male and female,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, Made them male and female? And he said: <a href="/cpdv/matthew/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to them in response, “Have you not read that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female?” And he said: <a href="/nabre/matthew/19.htm">New American Bible</a> He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he who made from the beginning, made them male and female? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/19.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But he answered and said to them, “Have you not read that he who made from the beginning, made them male and female?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/19.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He answered and said to them: Have you not read that the Creator, at the beginning, created them male and female, <a href="/godbey/matthew/19.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He responding said to them, <FR>Have you not read, that the one having made them from the beginning made them male and female?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/19.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But he replying, said unto them, Have ye not read, that he who created them from the beginning, created them male and female? <a href="/mace/matthew/19.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and he answered them, have ye not read, that when the creator, at the beginning, made male and female, <a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them 'made them' from the beginning 'male and female, <a href="/worrell/matthew/19.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He, answering, said, <FR>"Did you not read that He Who made them from the beginning made them 'male and female,'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/19.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And He answered and said unto them, <FR>Have ye not read, that He, who made <Fr>them<FR> at first, made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave <Fr>his<FR> father and mother,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/19-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5381" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Teachings about Divorce</a> …3Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">Jesus answered,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“</a> <a href="/greek/314.htm" title="314: anegnōte (V-AIA-2P) -- To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.">Have you not read</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/746.htm" title="746: archēs (N-GFS) -- From archomai; a commencement, or chief.">the beginning</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2936.htm" title="2936: ktisas (V-APA-NMS) -- To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found.">Creator</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">‘made</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/730.htm" title="730: Arsen (N-ANS) -- Male. Arsen probably from airo; male.">male</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2338.htm" title="2338: thēly (Adj-ANS) -- Female. From the same as thelazo; female.">female,’</a> 5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a> So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. <a href="/mark/10-6.htm">Mark 10:6-9</a> However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ... <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31</a> “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” <a href="/1_corinthians/6-16.htm">1 Corinthians 6:16</a> Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” <a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2</a> But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Malachi 2:15</a> Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. <a href="/1_timothy/2-13.htm">1 Timothy 2:13</a> For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. <a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Colossians 3:10</a> and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-8.htm">1 Corinthians 11:8-9</a> For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. / Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. <a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Genesis 5:2</a> Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.” <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a> He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. <a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a> Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,Have.<a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3</a> But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;<a href="/matthew/21-6.htm">Matthew 21:6,42</a> And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, … <a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Matthew 22:31</a> But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,that.<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a> So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.<a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Genesis 5:2</a> Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.<a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Malachi 2:15</a> And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/14-30.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/malachi/2-10.htm">Created</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-18.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/joel/2-29.htm">Female</a> <a href="/matthew/17-27.htm">First</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Male</a> <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Read</a> <a href="/matthew/4-10.htm">Writings</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/mark/13-19.htm">Created</a> <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/matthew/26-71.htm">Female</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">First</a> <a href="/mark/10-6.htm">Male</a> <a href="/matthew/21-16.htm">Read</a> <a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Writings</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 19</div>1. <a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Jesus heals the sick;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;</a> 10. <a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">shows when marriage is necessary;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">receives the little children;</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">and how to be perfect;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;</a> 27. <a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Jesus answered In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question posed by the Pharisees regarding divorce. His response is authoritative, indicating His role as a teacher and interpreter of the Law. This phrase underscores Jesus' divine wisdom and His ability to address complex issues with clarity. It also highlights His role as the ultimate authority on scriptural interpretation, often challenging the prevailing interpretations of the religious leaders of His time.Have you not read This phrase emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the foundation for understanding God's will. Jesus often used this rhetorical question to point the Pharisees back to the Scriptures, which they claimed to know well. It suggests that the answers to their questions are already available in the sacred texts, encouraging a return to the original intent of the Scriptures. This also serves as a reminder of the importance of personal engagement with the Bible.that from the beginning Here, Jesus refers to the creation account in Genesis, indicating that the principles He is about to discuss are rooted in the very foundation of the world. This phrase establishes the timeless nature of God's design for humanity and marriage. It implies that the original creation order is the standard by which all human relationships should be measured, pointing to the unchanging nature of God's purposes.the Creator This term identifies God as the one who designed and instituted marriage. It affirms the belief in a personal, intentional God who is actively involved in the creation and sustenance of the world. By referring to God as the Creator, Jesus underscores the divine authority behind the institution of marriage, suggesting that it is not merely a human or cultural construct but a divine ordinance.‘made them male and female’ This phrase is a direct quotation from <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>, highlighting the complementary nature of men and women in God's design. It affirms the binary nature of gender as part of the created order. This statement is foundational for understanding the biblical view of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It also reflects the inherent dignity and value of both genders, created in the image of God, and serves as a basis for discussions on gender roles and relationships within a biblical framework.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about divorce posed by the Pharisees. His response points back to the creation account, emphasizing God's original design for humanity. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law. They often challenged Jesus with questions to test Him or trap Him in His words. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_creator.htm">The Creator</a> Refers to God, who is acknowledged as the Creator of all things, including humanity. Jesus emphasizes God's intentional design in creation. 4. <a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a> The event referenced by Jesus, pointing back to the Genesis account where God created the world and humanity. 5. <a href="/topical/g/genesis_account.htm">Genesis Account</a> The original scriptural context Jesus refers to, specifically <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a> and <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>, which describe the creation of male and female and the institution of marriage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_design_for_humanity.htm">God's Design for Humanity</a> Jesus affirms the intentional design of God in creating humans as male and female. This design is foundational to understanding human identity and relationships. <a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_marriage.htm">The Sanctity of Marriage</a> By referencing the creation account, Jesus underscores the sanctity and permanence of marriage as instituted by God. Marriage is not merely a social contract but a divine covenant. <a href="/topical/s/scriptural_authority.htm">Scriptural Authority</a> Jesus' response, "Have you not read," highlights the authority of Scripture. Believers are encouraged to seek answers and guidance from the Bible, recognizing its authority in all matters of faith and practice. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_creation_theology.htm">The Importance of Creation Theology</a> Understanding the creation account is crucial for comprehending God's purpose for humanity and the world. It provides a framework for addressing contemporary issues related to gender, marriage, and family.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 19</a> <a href="/q/interpret_the_bible_literally.htm">Should the Bible be interpreted literally?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_gospel_of_the_kingdom.htm">What is the Gospel of the Kingdom about?</a> <a href="/q/approach_limitations.htm">What are the limitations of this approach?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_teachings_on_marriage.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on marriage?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Have ye not read . . .?--The answer to the question is found not in the words of a code of laws, but in the original facts of creation. That represented the idea of man and woman as created for a permanent relationship to each other, not as left to unite and separate as appetite or caprice might prompt.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - He answered and said. Our Lord does not directly reply in the negative, but refers to the original institution of marriage. All his auditors agreed in holding the legality of divorce, though they differed in their estimation of the causes that warranted separation. It was quite a new idea to find the propriety of divorce questioned, and to have their captious question met by an appeal to Scripture which they could not gainsay, and an enunciation of a high ideal of matrimony which their glosses and laxity had miserably perverted or obscured. He which made them. Manuscripts vary between ὁ ποιήσας and ὁ κτίσας. The latter is approved by Westcott and Hort. It is best translated, the Creator. The Vulgate gives, qui fecit hominem. At the beginning (ἀπ ἀρχῆς). These words should be joined to the following verb made (ἐποίησεν), and not with the preceding participle, as it is intended to show the primordial design in the creation of man and woman. God made the first members of the human family a male and a female, not a male and females. The lower animals were created separately, male and female; "mankind was created in one person in Adam, and when there was found no help meet for Adam, no companion in body, soul, or spirit, fit for him, then God, instead of creating a wholly new thing, made Eve out of Adam" (Sadler). Two individuals of opposite sexes were thus formed for each other; one was the complement of the other, and the union was perfect and lasted, as long as life. There was in this original institution no room for polygamy, no room for divorce. It was a concrete example of the way in which God unites man and wife. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/19-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[Jesus] answered, ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “Have you not read ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_314.htm">Strong's 314: </a> To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. from ἀπ’ (ap’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. [the] beginning ἀρχῆς (archēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_746.htm">Strong's 746: </a> From archomai; a commencement, or chief. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Creator κτίσας (ktisas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2936.htm">Strong's 2936: </a> To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found. ‘made ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. them αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. male Ἄρσεν (Arsen) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_730.htm">Strong's 730: </a> Male. Arsen probably from airo; male. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. female’ θῆλυ (thēly) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2338.htm">Strong's 2338: </a> Female. From the same as thelazo; female. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 19:4 He answered Haven't you read that he (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 19:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/19-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 19:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>