Matthew 19:4

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.”

Context:Understanding the background and context of a verse is important for accurate interpretation. In this case, Jesus is responding to a question about divorce and is pointing the Pharisees back to the original intent and design of God.

Reference to the Creation Account:Jesus references the creation account in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 to emphasize God’s original plan for marriage. In Genesis 1:27, it says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This verse highlights that from the beginning, God created humans as male and female, emphasizing the complementary nature of the sexes.

God’s Design for Marriage:By referring to the creation account, Jesus affirms the sacredness and permanence of marriage. In Genesis 2:24, it says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 19:5 to emphasize the lifelong commitment between a husband and a wife.

Importance of Gender:Jesus’ statement highlights the significance of gender in God’s design. God intentionally created humanity as male and female, and this distinction is part of His purpose and plan for marriage and relationships. It affirms the inherent value and purpose of each gender.

Counter-cultural Teaching:In Jesus’ time, divorce was a controversial topic, and various schools of thought had differing opinions. Jesus’ response, referring to God’s original design, goes against the prevailing cultural views and emphasizes the importance of upholding the sanctity of marriage.