Why is Matthew 19:9 different in the KJV from other Bibles?

 

If we compare the KJV Bible’s translation of Matthew 19:9 to the translations of other Bibles such as the NASB, ESV, HCBS, LSB, or the NET, we discover that the KJV’s translation is very different. For example, notice the long phrase “and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” is included in the KJV translation of  Matthew 19:9,

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:9 (KJV)

But if we examine the NASB, ESV, HCBS, LSB, NET, and NIV Bibles, we discover that all of them do not contain that long phrase.

And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. Matthew 19:9 (LSB)

The translation differences exist because the KJV uses the complied text of the Textus Receptus while the other translations use the NA28 or UBS5 complied Greek texts. If we compare the compiled texts that are used in all of these Bibles, we find the Greek texts do not agree.¹

The KJV has added the phrase or textual variant “and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery,” but the Greek manuscripts do not include this sentence according to Bruce Metzger. He makes this comment in his book titled, “A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament.”

The “excepting clause” in the Matthean account of Jesus’ teaching on divorce occurs in two forms: π0ρεκτοσ λόγου πορείασ (“except on the ground of unchastity”) and μή έπί (“except for un­chastity”). It is probable that the witnesses (including B D f¹ f¹³ 33) that have the former reading have been assimilated to 5.32, where the text is firm. Likewise the phrase ποιεῖ αύτήν μοιχευθῆναι (“makes her commit adultery” [i. e. when she remarries]) has come into several witnesses (including B C* f¹) from 5.32, where it is firm. The short reading of 1574, κai γαμήση ἄλλην, has been conformed to the prevailing text of Mk 10.11.²

Philip W. Comfort states in New Testament Text and Translation Commentary that the phrase “and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery,” in the KJV is a textual variant and it occurs after μοιχάται (“woman commits adultery”).³

The Legacy Standard Bible (NASB) also states that some early manuscripts include the textual variant.⁴ That is, the textual variant has little support for its inclusion. Therefore, most modern Bibles do not include it.

Conclusion

Even though the KJV and the NKJV Bibles do include the textual variant, the message agrees with the other statements Jesus made about adultery, divorce, and remarriage.  Therefore, when the exception clause, except it be for fornication, governs the meaning of the verse. If we remove the exception clause from the KJV version of the verse, it reads like this.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife . . . and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:9 (KJV)

When the exception clause is added, and the woman committed adultery, then the man can marry another woman, and any man who marries the adulterous wife commits adultery. That is the meaning of the KJV version of the verse. This is consistent with Matthew 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; and Luke 16:18.

 

 

References:

1. D. A. Carson’s comments about Matthew 19:9 on page 416 of D. A. Carson. Matthew. Frank Gaebelein. Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Regency Reference Library. 1984. vol. 8.
2. Bruce M. Metzger. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. United Bible Societies. 2016. 2nd ed. p. 38.
3. Philip W. Comfort. New Testament Text and Translation Commentary. Tyndale House Publishers. Inc. 2008. p. 56.
4. The MacArthur Study Bible. Thomas Nelson Legacy Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson. 2020. p. 1247.

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