Devine Scripture

Matthew 19:11

What does Matthew 19:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 19:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 19:11 means

Jesus acknowledged that His teaching on celibacy or lifelong single-minded devotion to God was not for everyone, but only for those to whom it was 'given.' This implies a divine calling or specific spiritual endowment that enables individuals to embrace such a challenging path. It indicates that singleness for the kingdom is a gift and not a universal expectation, emphasizing grace and individual capacity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he said to them, Not all men are able to take in this saying, but only those to whom it is given.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to them, `All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, All cannot receive this word, but those to whom it has been given;

Context

Directly responding to the disciples' pessimistic conclusion about marriage in verse 10, Jesus here clarifies that the capacity for such a commitment (including singleness) is not universal. This serves as an introduction to His teaching on different types of eunuchs in the following verse, expanding the discussion beyond marriage to include dedicated singleness for God's purposes.

v.10The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.

v.11This passage

v.12For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:2

    But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:35

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

  • 1 Corinthians 7:7

    Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

  • Matthew 13:11

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

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