Did Jesus Mention Homosexuality?
Did He Have To?
Did Jesus Mention Homosexuality?
Did He Have To?
When people claim Jesus was silent about the issue of homosexuality, they reveal a shallow understanding of His teachings, the scope of His authority, and the consistency of Scripture. Let us examine how Jesus unequivocally upheld God’s design for human sexuality and marriage, condemning all deviations, including the homosexual lifestyle.
Jesus Affirmed God’s Design for Marriage and Sexuality
In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus said, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Here, Jesus reaffirmed the creation order as the foundation for human relationships. He grounded His teaching in Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, emphasizing that marriage is a covenantal union between one man and one woman. By defining marriage in these terms, Jesus excluded all other forms of sexual relationships, including homosexuality.
If we take His words seriously, we must conclude that anything outside this male-female union is a violation of God’s intent. Homosexual acts cannot fulfill the "one flesh" purpose of marriage, which is rooted in complementarity—biological, spiritual, and relational.
Jesus Condemned Fornication
Jesus was explicit in His condemnation of sexual immorality, which includes homosexuality. In Matthew 15:19, He said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
The Greek word for fornication, porneia, refers broadly to any sexual activity outside of marriage. Since Jesus defined marriage as between one man and one woman, any sexual act—whether heterosexual or homosexual—outside this framework is classified as fornication. Jesus’ teaching leaves no room for exceptions or reinterpretations.
Jesus Upheld the Moral Law
Some argue that Jesus did not specifically mention homosexuality, so He must have condoned it. This argument collapses when we understand the role of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17). Jesus upheld the moral teachings of the Old Testament, which are consistent in their condemnation of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13).
In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” He was fully united with the Father in will, purpose, and teaching. The moral laws established by God in the Old Testament are not nullified by Jesus—they are clarified and upheld. To suggest that Jesus would condone what God condemned is to misunderstand His identity as the Son of God.
Jesus’ Love Does Not Nullify His Truth
The modern misconception of Jesus as a passive, affirming figure who never confronted sin is a distortion of Scripture. Jesus loved sinners, but He never affirmed their sin. In John 8:11, He said to the woman caught in adultery, “Go, and sin no more.” His compassion led Him to offer forgiveness, but His holiness required repentance.
To love someone biblically means to desire their highest good, which includes their reconciliation with God. Homosexuality, like all sin, separates people from God (Isaiah 59:2). Jesus’ mission was to save people from their sin, not to leave them in it (Luke 19:10).
The Gospel of Transformation
The hope for anyone trapped in sin, including those in a homosexual lifestyle, is found in the gospel. Jesus came to redeem sinners and offer new life. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
The transformative power of the gospel is available to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. To reject His teaching and affirm sinful lifestyles is to reject the very essence of His mission.
Conclusion
Jesus was not silent on homosexuality. By affirming God’s design for marriage, condemning fornication, and upholding the moral law, He clearly rejected all sexual sin, including homosexuality. His love compels sinners to repent and turn to Him, where they will find forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life.
We cannot twist His words to fit cultural trends. To follow Jesus is to submit to His truth, even when it challenges our desires. True love speaks the truth, and the truth is that Jesus offers freedom from all sin to those who will surrender to Him.
Thank you for such a well-written informative piece, yet with no condemnation in your tone. There are many Christian writers here on SS (who I agree with), that write truth in scripture. Yet, there also seems to be a lack of "there is also compassion and forgiveness available " in their tone and wording. Preachers and Christians speak often on the whole Gospel not being spoken when "a-soft-on-sin Jesus" is peddled. I agree wholeheartedly. However, if only the "God-does-not-tolerate-sin" wrath side is shared ...... the whole Gospel, still, has not been shared. Thank you for opportunity to comment.
Phenomenal job, Tony. Proud of your work and you.