If you search the Bible for anything specific about age differences in romantic relationships or marriage, you won’t find much—actually, you’ll find nothing at all. The Bible doesn’t directly address age gaps between couples, and in most cases, it doesn’t even mention the ages of husbands and wives.
Age simply isn’t a central theme in biblical discussions about marriage. However, there are a few examples that give us a little insight. The clearest example is Abraham and Sarah. In Genesis 17:17, Abraham laughs when God tells him that he and Sarah will have a child. He says, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” From this, we can see that Abraham was ten years older than Sarah. While ten years is a noticeable age difference, it’s far from extreme. Still, this is one of the only times in Scripture where we’re told the ages of both people in a marriage.
In nearly all other cases, the Bible is silent on the subject, which tells us something in itself—God doesn’t seem to emphasize age as a critical factor in relationships. Another relationship people often talk about when discussing age differences in the Bible is that of Boaz and Ruth. Though the Bible doesn’t tell us how old either of them was, Ruth 3:10 includes a line from Boaz that many believe hints at an age gap. When Ruth approaches Boaz and asks him to be her kinsman-redeemer, he responds, “The Lord bless you, my daughter. You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.”
This comment implies that Ruth could have pursued younger men if she wanted to, which leads many to assume Boaz was older. Some traditional Jewish texts like the Mishnah even suggest Boaz was 80 and Ruth was 40, but those claims are based on speculation and aren’t supported by the Bible itself. So while it’s possible there was a significant age difference, it’s not confirmed in Scripture. Another commonly believed idea is that Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was much older than Mary.
But again, the Bible doesn’t back that up. There are no verses that mention Joseph’s age or suggest a major age gap between him and Mary. That belief likely comes from later traditions and not from any biblical source. What all of this points to is that age difference just wasn’t a topic of concern in the Bible. God never set a rule or guideline about how close or far apart in age a couple should be. That’s not to say age doesn’t matter at all—clearly, maturity and life experience can influence a relationship—but it’s not a moral or spiritual issue according to Scripture. In today’s world, people sometimes raise eyebrows over certain age gaps, like when someone in their forties dates someone still in their teens. And it’s true that relationships with large age differences can bring up challenges, especially when one person is very young. But as people get older, those gaps tend to matter less. A 60-year-old marrying an 82-year-old might surprise no one, while a relationship between an 18-year-old and a 40-year-old may prompt concern. Still, the Bible doesn’t offer a specific stance on such situations. What it does emphasize is far more important: who we choose to marry should be of the opposite gender, based on the foundation in Genesis 2:21–25, and they should be a fellow believer, according to 2 Corinthians 6:14. Additionally, our reasons for getting married should be grounded in love, faith, and commitment—not selfish motives like lust or greed. Beyond those key guidelines, God gives us freedom in many areas of our relationships, including age. If there’s a significant age difference, it’s wise to pray for guidance, as James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom. But ultimately, Scripture doesn’t treat age differences as sinful or spiritually problematic. They’re simply another factor to consider as we seek God’s will in choosing a life partner.
