Luke 16:18

The Law and the Prophets · Luke 16:14–18
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Translations

Modern
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Traditional
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Literal
Everyone sending away his wife and marrying another commits adultery. And the one marrying her sent away from a husband, he commits adultery.
Latin
Omnis qui dimittit uxorem suam et alteram ducit, mœchatur: et qui dimissam a viro ducit, mœchatur.

Original

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

Notes

  • This example fits the context by showing that the authoritative words of Jesus interpreted and fulfilled the Old Testament law.

  • Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery: The Old Testament allowed divorce but did not approve of it (Deuteronomy 24:1–4). In the time of Jesus, Jewish teachers debated what counted as valid grounds for divorce. The school of Shammai taught that a man could divorce his wife only for sexual unfaithfulness. The school of Hillel allowed divorce for almost any reason.

    Against this casual view of marriage, Jesus taught that divorcing a spouse and marrying another person was equal to committing adultery. In other passages (Matthew 5:32; 19:9), Jesus gave a clear exception for cases of unfaithfulness.

Theme notes and profiles

Material Reward

Events

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Divorce First Letter to the Corinthians Luke, Gospel of

Topics

A Healthy Marriage Adultery: General Scriptures Concerning An Adultress Annulment Breaking a Vow Dating a Married Man Divorce: General Scriptures Concerning Fidelity Getting Married Grounds for Divorce Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Matrimony Multiple Wives One Flesh Remarriage Second Marriage Spousal Abandonment The Sanctity of Marriage