Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

LUKE 16:18KJV
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Luke 16:18 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:18 mean?

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.

The Greek behind Luke 16:18

  • "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.

Why Luke 16:18 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“adultery” Greek G3431 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
  • Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
  • Romans 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

“marrieth” Greek G1060 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • Mark 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

“away” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

“another” Greek G2087 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
  • Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.