Matthew 19:11

But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.

But {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, All {G3956} men cannot {G3756} receive {G5562} this {G5126} saying {G3056}, save {G235} they to whom {G3739} it is given {G1325}.

He said to them, "Not everyone grasps this teaching, only those for whom it is meant.

โ€œNot everyone can accept this word,โ€ He replied, โ€œbut only those to whom it has been given.

But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.

Commentary

In Matthew 19:11, Jesus responds to His disciples' reaction to His teaching on marriage and divorce. After Jesus asserts the indissoluble nature of marriage, the disciples exclaim that it might be better not to marry at all if the marital bond is so strict (see Matthew 19:10). Jesus' statement in this verse introduces the concept that not everyone is capable of living a celibate life, implying it is a specific gift or calling for some.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' detailed discussion on marriage and divorce, which began in Matthew 19:3. The Pharisees had questioned Him about the lawfulness of divorce. Jesus affirmed God's original design for marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, emphasizing that "what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." The disciples, seemingly overwhelmed by the strictness of this teaching, concluded that if marriage was so binding, it might be better to remain unmarried. Jesus' reply in Matthew 19:11 and Matthew 19:12 clarifies that the capacity for celibacy is not a universal option but a divine endowment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Endowment for Celibacy: Jesus states that the ability to "receive this saying" (to live a celibate life for the kingdom) is not inherent in everyone but is "given." This highlights that celibacy is a spiritual gift from God, enabling certain individuals to embrace a single life dedicated to His purposes.
  • Celibacy for Kingdom Service: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the following verse (Matthew 19:12) elaborates that this gift is for those who make themselves "eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven," implying a focused devotion to God's work unhindered by marital responsibilities.
  • Marriage as the Norm: By saying "All men cannot receive this saying," Jesus implicitly affirms that marriage is the normative human experience and God's primary design for relationships. Celibacy is presented as a special calling, not a universal expectation or a superior state for all believers.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "receive" is chลreล (ฯ‡ฯ‰ฯฮญฯ‰), which means "to make room for," "to contain," "to grasp," or "to have the capacity for." In this context, it signifies the spiritual and practical ability to embrace and live out the principle of celibacy for the kingdom. The phrase "to whom it is given" (Greek: dedotai) is a perfect passive indicative, emphasizing that this capacity is a divine bestowal, a gift from God, rather than something achieved by human effort or will alone. This aligns with the Apostle Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts, including the gift of singleness, as seen in 1 Corinthians 7:7.

Practical Application

This verse provides significant insight for understanding Christian vocations and relationships today. It teaches us:

  1. Discernment of Calling: Both marriage and singleness (including celibacy) are valid and honorable paths in God's eyes. This verse encourages individuals to discern their own calling, recognizing that the capacity for dedicated singleness is a divine gift.
  2. Respect for Different States: It fosters respect and understanding for those who are called to celibacy for the sake of the kingdom, recognizing their unique contribution and the grace required for such a life. Conversely, it affirms marriage as the natural and good path for the majority.
  3. Freedom from Social Pressure: It frees individuals from feeling pressured to marry if they genuinely believe they are called to singleness, and equally frees those who desire marriage from feeling less spiritual. Both states, when lived according to God's will, are avenues for serving Him.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    ยถ But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:2

    Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:35

    And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

  • Matthew 13:11

    He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:7

    For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:9

    But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
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