Question 1

What does Luke 16:18 mean?

Accepted Answer

Luke 16:18 says that anyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. The verse presents a strict teaching on marriage and divorce, emphasizing the seriousness of breaking the marriage bond. In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group of listeners, including the Pharisees, during a broader discussion about the law and righteousness. The statement comes in the context of Jesus correcting misunderstandings about the law, especially where people might look for loopholes. Luke 16:18 highlights how Jesus views marriage as a binding commitment, not something to be set aside lightly.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 16:18

Accepted Answer

"putteth away" (ἀπολύω, apolyō): This Greek word means to release or divorce. The use of this term shows that Jesus is specifically addressing the act of legally ending a marriage, not just separation. "marrieth" (γαμέω, gameō): This word means to marry or take as a spouse. Its repetition in the verse underlines that both the one who remarries after divorce and the one who marries a divorced person are included in this teaching. "adultery" (μοιχάω, moichaō): This word refers to sexual unfaithfulness to a spouse. By using this term, Jesus equates remarriage after divorce (in the situations described) with breaking the marriage covenant.

Question 3

Why Luke 16:18 matters

Accepted Answer

Luke 16:18 clarifies that Jesus’ standard for marriage is stricter than what some religious leaders of the time allowed, challenging common interpretations that made divorce easy. The verse connects to the broader passage where Jesus is exposing the Pharisees’ tendency to justify themselves by the law while missing its true intent. This teaching helps readers see that, in Jesus’ view, marriage is not just a social contract but a serious, lifelong commitment with moral and spiritual weight.

Luke 16:18 (KJV)