Mark 10:9

KJV

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

KJV (with Strong's)

What {G3739} therefore {G3767} God {G2316} hath joined together {G4801}, let {G5563} not {G3361} man {G444} put asunder {G5563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So then, no one should break apart what God has joined together."

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

American Standard Version

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:9 encapsulates Jesus' profound teaching on the sanctity and permanence of marriage, asserting that the marital union is not merely a human contract but a divine institution. In response to the Pharisees' questions about divorce, Jesus redirects their focus from legalistic interpretations of Mosaic law back to God's original creation design, emphasizing that what God has intimately joined together, humanity must not separate. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of the sacred, indissoluble nature of the covenant of marriage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader discourse in [Mark 10](/mark/10 "Mark 10 - Jesus' Teaching on Marriage, Children, and Riches") where Jesus addresses various aspects of discipleship and kingdom values. Specifically, [Mark 10:1-12](/mark/10-1-12 "Mark 10:1-12 - Jesus' Teaching on Divorce") records Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees who test Him by asking about the lawfulness of divorce. Their question stems from differing interpretations of [Deuteronomy 24:1-4](/deuteronomy/24-1-4 "Deuteronomy 24:1-4 - Law Concerning Divorce"), which permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce. Jesus, however, bypasses these legalistic debates by appealing to the original intent of creation as found in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation of Man and Woman") and [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - Man and Woman Become One Flesh"), thereby elevating marriage to a sacred covenant established by God Himself, rather than merely a societal arrangement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the practice of divorce was common, particularly among men, and was largely governed by the interpretations of [Deuteronomy 24:1](/deuteronomy/24-1 "Deuteronomy 24:1 - Grounds for Divorce"). Two prominent rabbinic schools, Hillel and Shammai, held opposing views. The school of Hillel allowed divorce for virtually any reason, even trivial ones like a burnt meal, while the school of Shammai held a much stricter view, permitting divorce only for serious sexual immorality. Jesus' response in [Mark 10:2-9](/mark/10-2-9 "Mark 10:2-9 - Jesus' Response to Pharisees on Divorce") directly challenges the prevailing cultural norms and the more lenient interpretations, asserting a higher, divine standard for marriage that stood in stark contrast to the ease with which divorce was often pursued. This teaching would have been radical and counter-cultural, particularly for men who held most of the legal power in such matters.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme illuminated by [Mark 10:9](/mark/10-9 "Mark 10:9 - God Joins Together") is the **divine institution and indissolubility of marriage**. Jesus underscores that marriage is not a human invention but a sacred covenant initiated and blessed by God. This theme is intricately linked to the **holiness of creation**, as Jesus grounds His teaching in the primordial act of God creating humanity as male and female and uniting them as "one flesh" (as referenced in [Mark 10:6-8](/mark/10-6-8 "Mark 10:6-8 - Jesus Cites Genesis on Marriage")). Furthermore, the verse highlights the **authority of God over human tradition and law**, asserting that divine design takes precedence over human interpretations or cultural practices that might undermine the sanctity of the marital bond. This challenges the human tendency to redefine or dismantle what God has established.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** Refers to the supreme Divinity, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. In this context, it emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind the institution of marriage, highlighting that it is not merely a human arrangement but a sacred bond established by the ultimate divine power.
* **joined together (Greek, _syzeúgnymi'_):** Literally meaning "to yoke together" or "to bind together." This powerful imagery evokes the joining of two oxen under a single yoke, signifying a shared burden, unified purpose, and inseparable partnership. Applied to marriage, it illustrates a profound, intimate union where two individuals are brought into a singular, divinely ordained bond.
* **put asunder (Greek, _chōrízō'_):: ** Means "to place room between," "to separate," or "to divide." The use of this verb in the negative imperative ("let not man put asunder") serves as a strong prohibition against any human action that would break apart or dissolve the divinely established unity of marriage. It underscores the sacredness and permanence of the bond.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What therefore God hath joined together":** This clause establishes the divine agency and authority in marriage. The "what" (G3739, _hós_) refers to the marital union itself, emphasizing that it is God who actively performs the joining. The perfect tense "hath joined together" (G4801, _syzeúgnymi_) indicates a completed action with ongoing results, signifying that once God has united a couple, that union remains.
* **"let not man put asunder":** This is a strong negative imperative, a command forbidding human intervention to dissolve the divine union. "Man" (G444, _ánthrōpos_) refers to humanity in general, implying that no human being—whether the spouses themselves, legal authorities, or any other party—has the right or authority to break apart a bond that God Himself has established. The verb "put asunder" (G5563, _chōrízō_) reinforces the idea of separation or division, which is strictly prohibited.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 10:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** is central, particularly in the Greek word for "joined together" (_syzeúgnymi_), which literally means "yoked together." This evokes the image of oxen sharing a yoke, powerfully symbolizing the shared life, labor, and inseparable partnership within marriage. The phrase "what therefore God hath joined together" also functions as a **synecdoche**, where "what" stands for the entire institution and sacred bond of marriage. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **antithesis** by contrasting divine action ("God hath joined together") with human prohibition ("let not man put asunder"), highlighting the tension between God's design and humanity's potential to disregard it. The **imperative mood** ("let not man put asunder") serves as a direct, authoritative command, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this divine injunction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:9 is a cornerstone of Christian theology concerning marriage, asserting its divine origin and covenantal nature. It moves beyond mere legalistic discussions about divorce to establish a foundational principle: marriage is a sacred union initiated and sanctioned by God, intended to be permanent and indissoluble. This perspective elevates marriage from a social contract to a spiritual covenant, reflecting God's own faithfulness and the unity of the Trinity. It underscores that human beings are not merely entering into an agreement with each other, but are participating in a divine act of joining, making the union subject to God's will and protection.

* [Matthew 19:6](/matthew/19-6 "Matthew 19:6 - Jesus' Teaching on Marriage and Divorce")
* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union")
* [1 Corinthians 7:10-11](/1_corinthians/7-10-11 "1 Corinthians 7:10-11 - Paul's Instruction on Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse calls us to a profound reverence for the institution of marriage, recognizing it as a sacred covenant established by God Himself. For those who are married, it serves as a powerful reminder of the divine hand in their union, encouraging them to view their spouse not merely as a partner, but as one with whom they have been divinely "yoked together." This perspective fosters resilience in challenges, promotes forgiveness, and cultivates a deep commitment to unity and faithfulness. For the church community, it underscores the importance of upholding biblical principles of marriage, providing support for married couples, and offering compassionate care for those facing marital difficulties, always pointing back to God's original design. It challenges us to reflect on how our actions, attitudes, and cultural norms align with God's perfect will for this foundational human relationship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding marriage as a divine joining, rather than merely a human contract, change your perspective on its purpose and challenges?**
* **In what ways might individuals or society "put asunder" what God has joined together, beyond the act of divorce?**
* **How can the church better support and strengthen marriages in light of Jesus' teaching in Mark 10:9?**

### FAQ
**Does "let not man put asunder" mean divorce is never permissible under any circumstances?**

Answer: While Mark 10:9 strongly emphasizes the permanence and indissolubility of marriage as God's ideal, other biblical passages, particularly in Matthew's Gospel, provide limited exceptions. In [Matthew 19:9](/matthew/19-9 "Matthew 19:9 - Exception Clause for Divorce"), Jesus speaks of "sexual immorality" (Greek: _porneia_) as a potential ground for divorce, and [1 Corinthians 7:15](/1_corinthians/7-15 "1 Corinthians 7:15 - Desertion by Unbelieving Spouse") addresses the issue of desertion by an unbelieving spouse. These passages are widely debated among scholars, but generally indicate that while God's ideal is lifelong union, there are tragic circumstances where the covenant has been fundamentally broken by one party, making divorce a sorrowful, yet sometimes permissible, last resort. The core message of [Mark 10:9](/mark/10-9 "Mark 10:9 - God Joins Together") remains a powerful affirmation of God's original, perfect design for marriage as a lifelong, unbreakable bond.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 10:9, though speaking directly to human marriage, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the unbreakable covenant between Christ and His Church. Just as God joins a man and a woman in an inseparable bond, so too has Christ, the divine Bridegroom, eternally "joined together" Himself with His Bride, the Church, through His atoning sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood. This spiritual union is foreshadowed in passages like [Ephesians 5:25-32](/ephesians/5-25-32 "Ephesians 5:25-32 - Christ and the Church as Bride and Groom"), where Paul explicitly likens the husband-wife relationship to Christ's love for the Church. No human power or earthly tribulation can "put asunder" this divine bond, for Christ's faithfulness is eternal, as promised in [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love"). The permanence and sanctity of human marriage, therefore, serve as a profound earthly reflection of the unbreakable, everlasting union between Christ and His redeemed people, culminating in the joyous imagery of the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb") in eternity.

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

Romans 7:1

¶ Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Romans 7:3

So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

1 Chronicles 7:10

The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

1 Chronicles 7:13

The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.