Luke 16:18

KJV

Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whosoever {G3956} putteth away {G630} his {G846} wife {G1135}, and {G2532} marrieth {G1060} another {G2087}, committeth adultery {G3431}: and {G2532} whosoever {G3956} marrieth {G1060} her that is put away {G630} from {G575} her husband {G435} committeth adultery {G3431}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and a man who marries a woman divorced by her husband commits adultery.

Berean Standard Bible

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

American Standard Version

Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:18 delivers a profound and uncompromising declaration from Jesus regarding the sanctity of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Positioned within a broader discourse on the enduring nature of God's Law and true righteousness, this verse unequivocally states that a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and likewise, anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. This teaching challenges the prevailing cultural norms and interpretations of the Mosaic Law concerning divorce, establishing a divine standard for the marital covenant that reflects God's original design for lifelong union and fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears immediately after Jesus' statement about the enduring nature of the Law and the Prophets, declaring that "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail" [Luke 16:17](/luke/16-17 "Luke 16:17 - The Enduring Law"). This placement is crucial, as it frames Jesus' teaching on divorce not as an abolition of the Law, but as a deeper, more profound interpretation of its original intent, elevating the standard of righteousness. It also precedes the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"), which emphasizes the eternal consequences of earthly choices and the importance of heeding God's revealed truth. Thus, the teaching on divorce serves as a concrete example of the rigorous ethical demands of God's kingdom, contrasting with the superficial adherence to the Law often practiced by the religious leaders of the day.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, divorce was a common practice, particularly among men. The Mosaic Law in [Deuteronomy 24:1](/deuteronomy/24-1 "Deuteronomy 24:1 - Law Concerning Divorce") permitted a man to give his wife a "bill of divorcement" if he found "some uncleanness" in her. This phrase was subject to wide interpretation, leading to two dominant schools of thought: the stricter School of Shammai, which limited grounds for divorce to sexual immorality, and the more lenient School of Hillel, which allowed divorce for almost any reason, even trivial ones like burning a meal. Jesus' teaching in [Luke 16:18](/luke/16-18 "Luke 16:18 - Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage") directly confronts this cultural permissiveness and the lax interpretations of the Law, reaffirming God's original intention for marriage as a permanent, indissoluble covenant, as established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - The Creation of Marriage").
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **Sanctity and Indissolubility of Marriage**. Jesus reasserts marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant established by God, not merely a social contract that can be easily dissolved. This teaching aligns with the creation narrative, where a man and woman become "one flesh," a union designed to be permanent. Another key theme is **Redefining Adultery**. Jesus expands the understanding of adultery beyond a simple physical act to include the violation of the marital bond through wrongful divorce and subsequent remarriage. He emphasizes that remarrying after an unlawful divorce is a continuous act of adultery, as the original marriage, in God's eyes, remains intact. This highlights Jesus' consistent elevation of the Law's ethical demands, moving beyond mere external compliance to address the heart's intent, a principle seen throughout His Sermon on the Mount, particularly in [Matthew 5:27-28](/matthew/5-27-28 "Matthew 5:27-28 - Adultery of the Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **putteth away (Greek, _apolýō'_):** From ἀπό (apo) and λύω (lyō), meaning "to free fully, release, dismiss, or specially divorce." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of divorcing a spouse. Jesus uses this term to describe the legal and social act of dissolving a marriage, which He then critiques in light of God's higher standard.
* **marrieth (Greek, _gaméō'_):** From γάμος (gamos), meaning "to wed (of either sex)." This word signifies the act of entering into a new marriage. Jesus highlights that it is not merely the act of divorce that is problematic, but the subsequent remarriage that constitutes adultery, thereby violating the original, still-binding marital covenant.
* **committeth adultery (Greek, _moicheúō'_):** From μοιχός (moichos), meaning "to commit adultery." This term denotes sexual unfaithfulness within marriage. Jesus' radical assertion is that remarriage after an unlawful divorce is not a new, legitimate union, but an ongoing act of adultery, as it infringes upon the existing, divinely recognized bond with the first spouse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery:"** This first clause addresses the man who initiates a divorce and subsequently remarries. Jesus declares that this act of remarriage, following a divorce not sanctioned by God's original design, is an act of adultery. This challenges the common practice of the day where men could easily divorce their wives and remarry without moral or legal consequence in the eyes of society, but not in God's eyes.
* **"and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery."** The second clause extends the condemnation to anyone who marries a divorced woman. This indicates that the marital bond, once established, is not broken by a human decree of divorce in God's sight. Therefore, entering into a new marriage with someone whose previous marriage is still considered valid by God's standard is also an act of adultery, regardless of who initiated the divorce. This highlights the enduring nature of the marital covenant from God's perspective.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 16:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Jesus' uncompromising teaching. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism** in its structure, where the two clauses present similar actions (divorce/remarriage and marrying a divorced person) that lead to the same severe consequence ("committeth adultery"). This reinforces the universality of the principle and ensures that both parties involved in such a remarriage are held accountable. The verse also functions as a **Legal Pronouncement**, delivered with the authority of a divine judge, leaving no room for ambiguity or compromise. The **Repetition** of "committeth adultery" at the end of both clauses emphasizes the gravity and certainty of the sin, driving home the point that such actions are a direct violation of God's Law. Furthermore, the stark, unadorned language lends it the quality of an **Aphorism** or **Maxim**, a concise statement of truth intended to be remembered and applied.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:18 profoundly impacts our understanding of marriage as a divine institution. It reveals God's ideal for marriage as a lifelong, exclusive covenant, reflecting His own faithfulness and the unbreakable bond He desires with His people. Jesus' teaching elevates marriage beyond a mere social contract, grounding it in God's original creation design and asserting its sacred nature. The theological implication is that human decrees cannot dissolve what God has joined together, and any attempt to do so for reasons outside of God's explicit allowance (which Luke's account does not include, unlike Matthew's "except for sexual immorality" clause) results in a violation of the seventh commandment. This highlights the seriousness of covenant-breaking in God's eyes and underscores the need for fidelity and commitment within marriage.

* [Matthew 5:32](/matthew/5-32 "Matthew 5:32 - Jesus' Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage")
* [Mark 10:11-12](/mark/10-11-12 "Mark 10:11-12 - Jesus' Teaching on Divorce")
* [1 Corinthians 7:10-11](/1_corinthians/7-10-11 "1 Corinthians 7:10-11 - Paul's Instructions on Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the sacredness and permanence of the marriage covenant in God's eyes. For believers today, this verse calls for a deep commitment to upholding marital vows and striving for fidelity, even in a world that increasingly devalues lifelong commitment. It challenges us to view marriage not as a temporary arrangement, but as a lifelong union reflecting the "one flesh" reality established by God. This teaching encourages us to invest in our marriages, seek reconciliation in times of conflict, and prioritize the health and sanctity of our relationships. It also prompts us to approach marriage with utmost seriousness, understanding that it is a covenant before God. While acknowledging the complexities and brokenness of a fallen world, this verse continually points us back to God's perfect ideal, urging us to seek His grace to live in accordance with His divine design for this foundational human institution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' teaching in Luke 16:18 challenge my personal or cultural assumptions about marriage and divorce?**
* **In what ways can I, or my community, better uphold the sanctity and permanence of marriage as taught by Jesus?**
* **How does understanding God's ideal for marriage influence my prayers for married couples, including my own?**

### FAQ

**Does Luke 16:18 allow for any exceptions to divorce and remarriage?**

Answer: Luke 16:18, in its concise form, does not explicitly state any exceptions for divorce and remarriage. This contrasts with the parallel accounts in [Matthew 5:32](/matthew/5-32 "Matthew 5:32 - Divorce and Remarriage") and [Matthew 19:9](/matthew/19-9 "Matthew 19:9 - Jesus on Divorce"), which include an "exception clause" for *porneia* (often translated as sexual immorality or unchastity). The absence of this clause in Luke and Mark's accounts emphasizes the general principle of marriage's indissolubility, highlighting Jesus' high standard for marital fidelity and commitment as the ideal. While theologians debate the interpretation and application of Matthew's exception, Luke's rendition underscores the profound seriousness with which Jesus viewed the marital covenant as a lifelong bond.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 16:18, while a stern warning about the sanctity of marriage, ultimately points to Christ as the perfect fulfillment of God's covenant faithfulness and the One who enables us to live according to His divine standards. Humanity's struggle with divorce and remarriage underscores our inability to perfectly uphold God's Law, revealing our need for a Savior. Jesus, as the ultimate Bridegroom, demonstrates unwavering fidelity to His bride, the Church, a relationship described in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church"). His commitment to us, even in our unfaithfulness, mirrors the ideal of covenant love that He calls us to embody in marriage. Furthermore, Christ's atoning work on the cross provides forgiveness for all our sins, including those related to broken covenants, and empowers believers through the Holy Spirit to pursue righteousness and fidelity in all areas of life, including marriage. Thus, this verse, by revealing the demanding nature of God's Law, ultimately leads us to the grace and transformative power found only in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the Law's intent and enables us to live in a way that honors God's sacred design.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 19:9

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.

Mark 10:11

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Mark 10:12

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Matthew 5:31

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Matthew 5:32

But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:10

¶ And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

1 Corinthians 7:12

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.