Mark 10:8 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:8 mean?

Mark 10:8 says that when two people marry, they are joined so closely that they become "one flesh," meaning they are no longer two separate individuals but are united as one in a deep, lasting way. This verse highlights the unique bond and unity that marriage creates between a husband and wife.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, who are questioning Him about divorce. Jesus quotes from Genesis to show that marriage was designed by God to unite two people so completely that they form a new, single unit. The phrase "one flesh" points to a relationship that is both physical and deeply personal, emphasizing the seriousness and permanence of marriage.

The Greek behind Mark 10:8

• "σάρξ" (sarx) — translated "flesh": In Greek, this word often refers to the physical body, but here it also carries the sense of a shared life and identity. The use of "one flesh" goes beyond just physical union to describe a total joining together.
• "δύο" (duo) — translated "twain": This word simply means "two," but its repetition in the verse underlines the change from two separate people to one united pair.
• "μία" (mia) — translated "one": The Greek word for "one" stresses the completeness of the union. It is not just partnership or cooperation, but a new, single entity formed from two.

Why Mark 10:8 matters

• Mark 10:8 clarifies that marriage, as described by Jesus, is not just a social contract but a profound union intended by God from the beginning.
• This verse helps explain why Jesus teaches against easy divorce in the surrounding passage, grounding His answer in the original purpose of marriage.
• The emphasis on "one flesh" shows that marriage involves a deep, holistic unity—emotional, spiritual, and physical—that is meant to be lasting and not easily broken.