What Matthew 19:3-12 Means
Matthew 19:3-12 says marriage was joined by God and should not be broken apart lightly. Jesus answers the Pharisees by pointing back to the beginning, then warns that divorce and remarriage can become adultery. Early Christian writers like Clement of Alexandria, Athenagoras, Theophilus of Antioch, Tertullian, and Origen use this passage to defend the same reading.
112 early-church witnesses · 207 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What does Matthew 19:3-12 mean?
Matthew 19:3-12 means Jesus rejects divorce as a easy option and points back to God’s original design for marriage: one man and one woman joined together. He says Moses allowed divorce because of hard hearts, but that was not God’s first plan. The passage also warns that remarriage after an unlawful divorce is adultery, while naming one exception in Matthew 19:9.
Early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria, Athenagoras, Theophilus of Antioch, Tertullian, and Origen mostly read the passage this way and used it to argue for lifelong marriage faithfulness. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Passage context
Jesus is answering Pharisees who ask whether divorce is lawful for any cause. He replies by quoting Genesis: God made them male and female and joined husband and wife as one flesh. When the disciples react, Jesus then speaks about divorce, remarriage, and the saying about eunuchs in Matthew 19:11-12.
Why early Christian sources matter
Early Christian writers help show how the first generations after the apostles understood this hard teaching. Clement, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Tertullian, and Origen all connect Matthew 19 to strict limits on divorce and remarriage, and some also connect it to continence. Their witness matters because it is early, repeated, and close to the plain meaning of the Gospel text.
Common interpretation points
- The clearest shared theme is that God’s original design for marriage sets the rule, not human hardness.
- The main debated point is the scope of the exception in Matthew 19:9; the early writers agree more on the no-divorce principle than on every edge case.
- The eunuch saying in Matthew 19:11-12 is often read as a call to continence, but the passage itself says it is not for everyone.
Evidence-Based Summary
Matthew 19:3-12 teaches that marriage was made by God, so a husband and wife should not be split apart lightly, and that divorce for any cause was not part of God’s first plan. It also teaches that remarriage after an unlawful divorce is adultery, with one narrow exception named in the passage. Early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria, Athenagoras, Theophilus of Antioch, Tertullian, and Origen mostly read the passage this way and used it to reject easy divorce and defend continence.
Their writings are broad and early, but they are stronger on divorce and remarriage than on every detail of the disciples’ question, so the evidence is strongest where it follows the plain words of the Gospel.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew 19:3-12 teaches that God joined marriage together and human beings should not split it apart at will.
- The passage limits remarriage after divorce and calls that adultery, with one stated exception in Matthew 19:9.
- Early Christian writers repeatedly used this passage to oppose easy divorce and support lifelong marital faithfulness.
- The eunuch saying in Matthew 19:11-12 was often read as a call to continence, not a command for everyone.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians think Jesus banned divorce for any reason?
Yes. Early Christian writers mostly read Matthew 19:3-8 as rejecting divorce for any cause and sending readers back to God’s first design for marriage. They tie Jesus’ answer to the creation words about male and female and to the saying that what God joined together should not be split apart.
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Matthew 19:3 Direct teaching
And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?”
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Matthew 19:8 Direct teaching
He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
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Matthew 19:6 Direct teaching
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
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Matthew 19:4 Direct teaching
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
...s his custom. The Pharisees came to him to test him, and they asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He said, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed us, saying, Whoever wants to, let him write a certificate of divorce and divorce his wife." Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body'? So they are no longer two, but one body. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate." Those Pharisees said to him, "Why then did Moses allow a man to give a certificate of divorce and divorce her?" Jesus said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts, Moses gave you permission to divorce your wives. But from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, has exposed her to adultery." When he entered the house, his disciples asked him again about that. And he said to them, "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another has exposed her to adultery. And any woman wh
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching
...unwillingness to obey. When they asked Him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of divorce and send a wife away?” He replied, “Because of the hardness of your hearts, he permitted these things to you; but from the beginning it was not so.” By saying this, He was clearing Moses as a faithful servant while acknowledging one God, who from the beginning made male and female, and criticizing them for being hard-hearted and disobedient. This is why they received from Moses this law of divorce, tailored to their hard nature. But why do I mention these things concerning the Old Testament? For in the New Testament, the apostles were also found doing the same thing for the reasons mentioned. Paul clearly stated, “But these things I say, not the Lord.” And again: “But this I speak by permission, not by commandment.” And further: “Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give my opinion, as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.” Additionally, in another passage he says: “That Satan may not tempt you for your lack of self-control.” If, therefore, even in the New Testament, the apostles are found granting certain teachings in cons
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Didache, Connection to Matthew 19:4 Supporting witness
and the Lord says: "He that made them from the beginning, made them male and female; and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they two shall be one flesh."
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Clement of Rome, Connection to Matthew 19:8 Supporting witness
Moses gave you commandments according to your hard-heartedness; for from the beginning it was not so: for He who created man at first, made him male and female.'
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Athenagoras, Connection to Matthew 19:5 Supporting witness
For each of us thinks of the woman whom he has married, according to the laws laid down by us, and in the marriage state as his wife. For we believe that we shall live again... one wife, for whom we look.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Matthew 19:4; Genesis 1:28 If, therefore, the difference of sexes was made by the will of God for the generation of multitudes, then must the conjunction of male and female be also acceptable to His mind.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Matthew 19:4-5 Nor let it be esteemed lawful after marriage to put her away who is without blame.
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Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Supporting witness
...mmitted adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28 And, the Gospel says, "He who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. And whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery." Matthew 5:32 Because Solomon says, "Can a man carry fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can someone walk on hot coals and his feet not be burned? So he who goes in to a married woman will not be innocent." Proverbs 6:27-29
More related quotations from this section 3 shown
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Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Supporting witness
Matthew 5:28 And he that marries, says [the Gospel], her that is divorced from her husband, commits adultery;
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
But Christ prohibits divorce, saying, "Whoever puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries a woman put away from her husband also commits adultery." Luke 16:18 To forbid divorce, He makes it unlawful to marry a woman who has been put away. Moses, however, permitted repudiation in Deuteronomy: "When a man has taken a wife, and has lived with her, and it comes to pass that she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found unchastity in her, then let him write her a bill of divorcement and give it in her hand, and send her away out of his house." Deuteronomy 24:1 You see, therefore, that there is a difference between the law and the gospel, between Moses and Christ. To be sure there is. But then you have rejected that other gospel which bears witness to the same truth and the same Christ. There, while prohibiting divorce, He has given us a solution to this special question about it: "Moses," He says, "because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to give a bill of divorcement; but from the beginning it was not so." Matthew 19:8 For this reason, because He who made them male and female had also said, "The two shall become one flesh." "Therefore
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Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Supporting witness
For whosoever puts away his wife, says He, and marries another, commits adultery;
Did early Christians say remarriage after divorce is adultery?
Yes. The clearest reading in the selected sources is that remarriage after an unlawful divorce is adultery, and several writers repeat that wording directly. The strongest witnesses here are Matthew 19:9, Matthew 5:32, Luke 16:18, and early writers like Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Tertullian, and Origen.
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Matthew 19:9 Direct teaching
And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
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Matthew 5:32 Direct teaching
But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
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Luke 16:18 Direct teaching
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
Matthew 19:9a I say unto you, Whosoever puts away his wife without fornication, and marries another, has exposed 37 her to adultery.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
Matthew 19:9b And whosoever marries 40 her that is divorced has committed adultery.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching
For in the Gospel of Matthew he says, Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery.
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Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Supporting witness
and whosoever puts away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery.
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
...man who is divorced from another husband commits adultery.” And, “There are some who have been made eunuchs by others, some who were born eunuchs, and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake; but not everyone can accept this saying.” Therefore, all who, by human law, marry twice are deemed sinners in the eyes of our Master, as well as those who look at a woman to lust after her. For He rejects not only those who commit adultery in action but also those who desire to commit adultery: since both our deeds and our thoughts are open before God. Many, both men and women, who have followed Christ from childhood, remain pure even at the age of sixty or seventy; and I boast that I could find such individuals from every race. What shall I say of the countless number of those who have reformed from intemperate habits and learned these principles? For Christ did not call the just or the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, the licentious, and the unjust; His words being, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” For the heavenly Father desires the repentance of the sinner more than their punishment. Regarding our love for all, He taught
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Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Supporting witness
Matthew 19:9 not permitting a man to send her away whose virginity he has brought to an end, nor to marry again.
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Tertullian, On Modesty Supporting witness
Meantime withal, while prohibiting divorce, he uses the Lord's precept against adultery as an instrument for providing, in place of divorce, either perseverance in widowhood, or else a reconciliation of peace: inasmuch as whoever shall have dismissed a wife (for any cause) except the cause of adultery, makes her commit adultery;
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Tertullian, On Monogamy Supporting witness
...o, not another, but one that imposed the law from the beginning and moved the will of God to forbid divorce: whoever dismisses his wife, except on the ground of adultery, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman dismissed by her husband, of course commits adultery. A divorced woman cannot even marry lawfully. And if she does any such thing without the name of marriage, does it not fall under the category of adultery, since adultery is a crime in the way of marriage? Such is God's verdict, within straiter limits than men's, that universally, whether through marriage or promiscuously, the admission of a second man to intercourse is pronounced by Him to be adultery. For let us see what marriage is in the eye of God; and thus we shall learn what adultery equally is. Marriage is this: when God joins two into one flesh; or else, finding them already joined in the same flesh, He has given His seal to the union. Adultery is this: when, after the two have been disjoined in whatever way, other—no, rather, alien—flesh is mingled with either one; flesh concerning which it cannot be said, "This is flesh out of my flesh, and this bone out of my bones." For this, once for all don
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
But Christ prohibits divorce, saying, Whosoever puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery;
More related quotations from this section 7 shown
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
And further, if she were found despoiling and pillaging the house of her husband, though she was not guilty of fornication, one might ask if he would with reason cast away such an one, seeing that the Saviour forbids any one to put away his own wife saving for the cause of fornication.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
I wonder therefore why He did not say, Let no one put away his own wife saving for the cause of fornication, but says, Whosoever shall put away his own wife, saving for the cause of fornication, makes her an adulteress.
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
...mine yourselves. For a husband can also cause his own wife to commit adultery in other ways besides putting her away. For example, he may allow her to do whatever she wants beyond what is proper, and let her form close friendships with whatever men she wishes. Often, through the simplicity of husbands, such false steps happen to wives. But whether husbands have any defense in such cases or not, you should examine carefully, and also give your judgment about the difficult questions we have raised on this passage. And even the man who keeps away from his wife often makes her an adulteress when he does not satisfy her desires, even if he does this under the appearance of greater seriousness and self-control. And perhaps this man is more blameworthy, since, as far as it depends on him, he makes her an adulteress by not satisfying her desires, than the man who has sent her away for some reason other than fornication, such as poisoning or murder or any of the most grievous sins. But just as a woman is an adulteress, even if she seems to be married to a man, while her former husband is still living, so also the man who seems to marry a woman who has been put away does not so much marry
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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness
for the husband can also in other ways than by putting her away cause his own wife to commit adultery;
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Now the Valentinians, who traced marriages down from the divine emanations above through pairings, accept marriage. But the followers of Basilides say that when the apostles asked whether it is better not to take a wife, the Lord answered, "Not all can receive this saying. For some are eunuchs from birth, and others are eunuchs by necessity," Matthew 19:11-12. They interpret this saying in this way. Some, from the time they are born, naturally turn away from women. If they make use of this natural disposition, they do right if they do not marry. These, they say, are eunuchs from birth. But those who are eunuchs by necessity are actors on the stage, and trainers, who keep themselves continent because they are driven by the desire for glory. Also, those who have been mutilated by some accident have become eunuchs by necessity. Therefore, those who become eunuchs by necessity do not become eunuchs according to reason. But those who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the eternal kingdom, they say, did this to avoid the troubles of marriage, because they feared the burden and anxiety of managing a household. And when the Apostle says, "It is better to marry than to burn," 1 Corinth
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
... generations. And they do not understand this saying: "Not all can receive this word. For there are eunuchs who were born so, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it." Matthew 19:11-12 They do not understand that, after He had spoken about divorce, when some asked, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry," then the Lord said, "Not all can receive this word, but those to whom it has been given." Matthew 19:10-11 For those who asked wanted to learn from Him whether, after a wife had been condemned and sent away because of fornication, it was permitted to take another wife. They also say that not a few athletes abstain from sexual relations, practicing self-control for bodily training, such as Astylus of Croton and Crison of Himera. Also Amoebaeus the lyre-player, when he had only recently been joined in marriage, abstained from his bride. And Aristotle of Cyrene alone looked down on Lais the courtesan. So, after he had sworn to the prostitute that he would take her back to his homeland if she helped him
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Qui potest capere, capiat; Matthew 19:11-12 nesciunt quod, postquam de divortio esset locutus, cum quidam rogassent: Si sic sit causa uxoris, non expedit homini uxorem ducere;
What did early Christians think Matthew 19:11-12 meant about eunuchs?
Early Christian writers often took Matthew 19:11-12 as a saying about continence and a life without marriage for the sake of the kingdom. They did not treat it as a command for everyone, but as a gift some can receive. Clement of Alexandria, Cyprian, and Origen are the clearest witnesses in the selected set.
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Matthew 19:11 Direct teaching
But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given:
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Matthew 19:12 Direct teaching
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
Matthew 19:11 He said to them, Not every man can endure this saying, except 42 him to whom it is given.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
... Himself says: “All men cannot receive this word, but those to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs who were born so from their mother’s womb; and there are some eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:11. Again, by this word of the angel also, the gift of continency is set forth, and virginity is proclaimed: “These are they who have not defiled themselves with women, for they have remained virgins; these are they who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” Revelation 14:4. For the Lord does not promise the grace of continency only to men and pass over women. Since the woman is a part of the man, and is taken and formed from him, God in Scripture almost always speaks to the Protoplast, the first-formed, because they are two in one flesh, and in the male the woman also is signified at the same time.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...nstruction in life nor by speech. But those who have made themselves eunuchs from every sin for the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 19:12, they are blessed, because they fast from the world.
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Cyprian, Connection to Matthew 19:11 Supporting witness
Of this same thing in the Gospel according to Matthew: "All men do not receive the word, but they to whom it is given: for there are some eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who have been constrained by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who can receive it, let him receive it."
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Cyprian, Connection to Matthew 19:11 Supporting witness
Let those who have once made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Let those who have once made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven please God in all things, and not offend God's priests nor the Lord's Church by the scandal of their wickedness.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
Now, when the world is filled and the earth supplied, they who can receive continency, living after the manner of eunuchs, are made eunuchs unto the kingdom.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
...e world is filled and the earth supplied, those who can receive continency, living in the manner of eunuchs, make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom. Nor does the Lord command this, but He urges it. Nor does He place the yoke of necessity on anyone, since the free choice of the will is left. But when He says that in His Father's house are many mansions, He shows the dwelling places of the better habitation. You are seeking those better dwelling places. By cutting away the desires of the flesh, you obtain the reward of a greater grace in the heavenly home. Indeed, all who attain the divine gift and inheritance through the sanctification of baptism put off the old man in it by the grace of the saving washing, and, renewed by the Holy Spirit from the filth of the old contagion, are cleansed by a second birth. But the greater holiness and truth of that repeated birth belongs to you, who no longer have any desires of the flesh and of the body. Only the things that belong to virtue and the Spirit have remained in you for glory. This is the word of the apostle, whom the Lord called His chosen vessel, whom God sent to proclaim the heavenly command: "The first man," he says, "is from the
Common Questions
Did early Christians think divorce was allowed for any reason?
No. They usually read Matthew 19 as rejecting divorce for any reason and tying marriage back to God’s first design.
Did early Christians allow remarriage after divorce?
Most of the selected writers treat remarriage after an unlawful divorce as adultery, following Matthew 19:9 and related sayings.
What do the eunuchs in Matthew 19:12 mean?
The passage is about people who do not marry for the kingdom of heaven, and early writers often linked it to a life of continence.
Why did Jesus say Moses allowed divorce?
Jesus says Moses allowed it because of hard hearts, but that was not how marriage was from the beginning.
Does Matthew 19:12 command celibacy for everyone?
No. Jesus says only some can receive that saying, so it is not a rule for every person.
What did early Christian writers say about divorce and remarriage?
They usually said divorce should not be easy and remarriage after an unlawful divorce is adultery.
Source Index for Matthew 19:3-12
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 207 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 112
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 95
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
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