4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'
4 He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,
4 He answered, "Haven't you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female?
4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
4 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 19:4
Commentary on Matthew 19:3-12
(Read Matthew 19:3-12)
The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by asking whether they had not read the account of the creation, and the first example of marriage; thus pointing out that every departure therefrom was wrong. That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and kept to accordingly, which is best for our souls, and tends most to prepare us for, and preserve us to, the kingdom of heaven. When the gospel is really embraced, it makes men kind relatives and faithful friends; it teaches them to bear the burdens, and to bear with the infirmities of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace and happiness more than their own. As to ungodly persons, it is proper that they should be restrained by laws, from breaking the peace of society. And we learn that the married state should be entered upon with great seriousness and earnest prayer.