Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Matthew 5:32

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 32 However, I say to you that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of sexual immorality,* makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.+

Matthew 5:32

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 32 However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication,*+ makes her a subject for adultery,+ and whoever marries a divorced* woman commits adultery.*+

Matthew 5:32

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 32 ᾿Εγὼ I δὲ but λέγω am saying ὑμῖν to YOU ὅτι that πᾶς everyone ὁ the (one) ἀπολύων divorcing τὴν the γυναῖκα woman αὐτοῦ of him παρεκτὸς except λόγου of word πορνείας of fornication ποιεῖ is making αὐτὴν her μοιχευθῆναι, to commit adultery, καὶ and ὃς who ἐὰν if ever ἀπολελυμένην [woman] having been divorced γαμήσῃ might marry μοιχᾶται. commits adultery.

Matthew 5:32

King James Version
- 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 5:32

American Standard Version
- 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

Matthew 5:32

The Bible in Living English
- 32 * But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on grounds of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew

Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
- 5:32 int 1146-1147; Rbi8 1576; w83 3/15 30; w80 1/15 30; w78 5/15 29-30; g75 9/22 27-28; w74 511; w74 671-672; w74 703-704; w72 31-32; w72 766-768; ad 39, 292, 460, 1116; g70 11/8 28; li 237-238; g64 10/22 28; w61 94; w60 724; w56 594; w47 27

Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 5

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 5:32
  
  everyone divorcing his wife: See study note on Mr 10:12.
  
  sexual immorality: The Greek word por·neiʹa is a general term for all sexual intercourse that is unlawful according to the Bible. It includes adultery, prostitution, sexual relations between unmarried individuals, homosexuality, and bestiality.—See Glossary.
  
  makes her a subject for adultery: That is, puts her in danger of committing adultery. A wife does not become an adulteress simply by being divorced, but she is put at risk of committing adultery. If a husband divorces his wife on grounds other than sexual immorality (Greek, por·neiʹa), she is exposed to the possibility of making herself an adulteress by having sexual relations with another man. According to Bible standards, she is not free to marry unless the circumstances change with regard to the husband who divorced her; for example, if he dies or becomes sexually unfaithful to her. For Christians, the same standards apply to a man if his wife were to divorce him on grounds other than sexual immorality.
  
  a divorced woman: That is, a woman divorced for any reason other than “sexual immorality.” (Greek, por·neiʹa; see study note on sexual immorality in this verse.) As shown by Jesus’ words at Mr 10:12 (see study note), that standard applied whether it was a husband or a wife who was seeking a divorce. Jesus clearly teaches that if a divorce were obtained on grounds other than sexual immorality, the remarriage of either partner would constitute adultery. A single man or woman who marries such a divorced person would also be guilty of adultery.—Mt 19:9; Lu 16:18; Ro 7:2, 3.