ἕνεκεν τούτου καταλείψει ἄνθρωπος τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν μητέρα καὶ κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν; (Matthew 19:5)
Marriage and Morphology: A Sacred Syntax
In Matthew 19:5, Jesus reaffirms the Genesis foundation of marriage in response to questions about divorce. The verse presents a series of coordinated verbs and a dramatic prepositional phrase that climaxes in a profound theological declaration: the two shall become one flesh. This statement, while often quoted, reveals deeper grammatical layers that intensify its meaning—layers which reflect permanence, priority, and covenant unity in both form and content.
The Verbal Chain of Covenant: Three Core Actions
1. καταλείψει – “shall leave”
- καταλείψει: Future active indicative, 3rd person singular of καταλείπω, meaning “to leave behind.”
- This form indicates a definite prophetic action, not a suggestion or hypothetical future.
- The subject ἄνθρωπος (“a man”) is indefinite, showing universality.
- Objects: τὸν πατέρα… καὶ τὴν μητέρα, both with the article, indicating specific and known persons.
This future active signals a decisive, willful act of separation from familial bonds—a reordering of relational priority that grounds the next actions.
2. κολληθήσεται – “shall be joined”
- κολληθήσεται: Future passive indicative, 3rd person singular of κολλάω, “to glue, to cling.”
- Grammatically, the passive voice underscores that this union is not merely human effort—it is divinely effected.
- Used with the dative: τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, showing personal, intimate attachment to “his wife.”
This passive construction invites theological reflection: marriage is not self-made but God-ordained, formed not only by consent but by spiritual adhesion.
3. ἔσονται… εἰς σάρκα μίαν – “they shall be one flesh”
- ἔσονται: Future middle indicative, 3rd person plural of εἰμί, “they shall be.”
- οἱ δύο: “the two” – a numerical emphasis implying differentiation before union.
- εἰς σάρκα μίαν: “into one flesh” – preposition εἰς plus accusative indicates result, transformation, or purpose.
The phrase εἰς σάρκα μίαν is not metaphorical abstraction—it’s a statement of ontological unity, echoed in Paul’s theology and rooted in creation.
Semantic Structure: A Cascade of Union
| Greek Verb/Phrase | Form | Function | Theological Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| καταλείψει | Future active indicative | Volitional act of leaving | Marriage entails a break from former primary bonds |
| κολληθήσεται | Future passive indicative | Bonding by another’s agency | The couple is spiritually joined by divine design |
| ἔσονται… εἰς σάρκα μίαν | Future middle + prepositional phrase | State of becoming one entity | Marital unity as a new ontological reality |
One Flesh: Not Just Poetry, But Prophecy
This verse is not a generic sentiment about love. The use of the future indicative in all three verbs reveals a prophetic grammar—marriage is envisioned as a future state initiated by a decisive act, sealed by divine adhesion, and culminating in shared embodiment.
Grammatically, each clause ascends in intimacy:
- Separation from parents
- Attachment to one’s wife
- Transformation into one flesh
The structure itself mirrors the movement from individuality to unity. The man leaves one house, joins another, and becomes something new. And in all of it, Greek grammar quietly witnesses: this is God’s doing.
