For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

MARK 10:7KJV
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Mark 10:7 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:7 mean?

Mark 10:7 says that a man will leave his parents and become closely joined to his wife, marking the start of a new family unit. The verse highlights the importance and seriousness of the marriage relationship, showing it as a bond that takes priority over even the closest family ties.

In Mark 10, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, who are questioning him about divorce. Jesus refers back to the creation story to explain that marriage was designed by God to be a deep, lasting union. By quoting this line, Jesus emphasizes that marriage is not just a social contract but a foundational relationship intended to be strong and enduring.

The Greek behind Mark 10:7

  • The word "cleave" is from προσκολλάω (proskollaō), which means to join closely or to glue together. This word paints a picture of a strong, inseparable bond, not just a casual connection.
  • The word "leave" is from καταλείπω (kataleipō), meaning to leave behind or abandon. The Greek here carries the sense of a decisive action, showing that forming a new family involves a real shift in loyalty and commitment.
  • The word "wife" is γυνή (gynē), which can mean woman or wife, but in this context clearly refers to the marital relationship.

Why Mark 10:7 matters

  • Mark 10:7 clarifies that marriage is meant to be a new, primary relationship, not just an extension of a person's family of origin.
  • The verse underscores Jesus' teaching that marriage is a God-designed union, which helps explain why he speaks so strongly against easy divorce in the surrounding verses.
  • By quoting from Genesis, Jesus connects his teaching to the very beginning of the biblical story, showing that this principle about marriage has always been part of God's intention for humanity.

Where else these words appear

“cleave” Greek G4347 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
  • Acts 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
  • Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

“cause” Greek G1752 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
  • Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

“shall” Greek G2641 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
  • Acts 25:14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

“cause” Greek G5127 · used in 72 verses

  • Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
  • John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded