Jesus emphasized the profound and lifelong unity between a husband and a wife, viewing their union as a sacred reflection of God's original design for humanity.
When questioned by the Pharisees about the lawfulness of a man divorcing his wife, Jesus referenced the very beginning of creation to convey his teaching.
Key Aspects of Jesus's Teaching on a Wife within Marriage:
- Original Intent vs. "Hardness of Heart": Jesus explained that the allowance for divorce in the Mosaic Law was not God's original intention. He attributed this provision to the "hardness of heart" of the people (Mark 10:5), indicating that it was a concession to human failing rather than a divine ideal.
- Unity in Creation: Jesus appealed to the foundational narrative in Genesis, stating that from the beginning, "God made them male and female." He quoted, "‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh" (Mark 10:6-8). This highlights that a wife, in marriage, becomes inseparably one with her husband.
- Indissolubility of the Bond: By emphasizing that husband and wife are "no longer two, but one," Jesus underscored the profound and permanent nature of the marital covenant. His teaching implies that what God has joined together, human beings should not separate.
In essence, Jesus upheld the dignity of the wife within the marital bond, viewing her as an equal partner in a unified, lifelong union intended by God to be unbreakable.
