Matthew 19:11-12
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Jesus isn't just saying that some people choose not to marry; he's highlighting that the ability to live without marriage for the sake of the kingdom is a divine gift, not merely a human decision. This reframes celibacy not as a personal preference or sacrifice, but as a specific calling and empowerment from God.
But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples have just reacted to Jesus' teaching on the permanence of marriage, suggesting it would be better not to marry at all. Jesus responds that while this idea of remaining unmarried isn't for everyone, some are uniquely suited for it, implying it's a divine enablement rather than just a personal choice. He then elaborates by explaining different kinds of "eunuchs," including those who choose celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The disciples thought marriage was 'not good' due to its permanence. Jesus reframed the issue entirely, pointing to a divine gift rather than human reasoning.
Jesus corrects the disciples' pragmatic objection to marriage. They see it as inconvenient because of the new, stricter definition of divorce He just gave. Their reasoning is: 'If we can't easily leave, maybe we shouldn't marry at all.'
But Jesus says, 'Not everyone can receive this saying.' The 'saying' refers to their conclusion that it's better not to marry. He doesn't dismiss their conclusion entirely, but he redefines the reason why someone might abstain from marriage. For the disciples, it was a matter of convenience. For Jesus, it's a matter of divine gifting. It's not about avoiding inconvenience; it's about whether God has uniquely equipped you for a life of celibacy for His purposes.
Jesus introduces a radical idea: the ability to live without marriage isn't just a choice, but a special gift from God.
Jesus makes it clear that while marriage is God's design for most, a life of celibacy is a specific, divine enablement. He contrasts the disciples' self-serving logic ('it's not good for us') with God's sovereign gifting.
This 'gift' isn't about avoiding the 'bitterness' or 'annoyances' that can come with marriage (as the commentaries note). Instead, it's about being uniquely equipped by God to pursue the 'kingdom of heaven' with undivided devotion. Those to whom it is given are set apart, enabled by grace to live a life free from marital responsibilities, so they can be more readily devoted to God's work. This isn't a lesser state, but a different calling, empowered by God's provision.
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Understand the original words
basileia tou ouranou · Greek Noun
The sovereign reign or rule of God over all creation, and specifically the redemptive reality inaugurated by Jesus Christ on earth, which will reach its full consummation in the age to come.
eunouchos · Greek Noun
Historically refers to men who were castrated; in this context, it signifies individuals who live without normal marital relations, either by physical circumstance or by intentional self-restraint for the service of God.
This passage echoes Matthew 19:11 by stating that while marriage is good, some have a unique gift for celibacy, directly correlating with Jesus' point that not everyone can 'receive this saying' about not marrying.
1 Corinthians 7:25Paul directly addresses the topic of celibacy and marriage, distinguishing between those who are married and those who are unmarried, and affirming that the unmarried state is a gift, similar to how Jesus states in Matthew 19:11 that continence is 'given'.
1 Corinthians 7:9This verse directly links the ability to remain unmarried with a gift from God, paralleling Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19:11 that the capacity for celibacy is not inherent but divinely granted.
Romans 12:6While not about marriage, this passage speaks about 'different kinds of gifts' according to the grace given to us, reinforcing the broader New Testament theme that spiritual capacities and callings are not universal but divinely distributed, just as Jesus says the ability to live without marriage is 'given'.
calvinMatthew 19:10-12: "His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry."
- His disciples say to him, If such be the case of the man with his wife, [600] it is not expedient to enter into marriage. 11. Who said to them, [601] All are not capable of receiving this saying, but those to whom it is given. 12. For there are eunuchs, who were so born from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs, who have been made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs,…
henryMatthew 19:3-12: "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"
19:3-12 The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which they might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriage have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by as…
Jesus isn't just saying that some people choose not to marry; he's highlighting that the ability to live without marriage for the sake of the kingdom is a divine gift, not merely a human decision. This reframes celibacy not as a personal preference or sacrifice, but as a specific calling and empowerment from God.
The disciples have just reacted to Jesus' teaching on the permanence of marriage, suggesting it would be better not to marry at all. Jesus responds that while this idea of remaining unmarried isn't for everyone, some are uniquely suited for it, implying it's a divine enablement rather than just a personal choice. He then elaborates by explaining different kinds of "eunuchs," including those who choose celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The disciples have just reacted to Jesus' teaching on the permanence of marriage, suggesting it would be better not to marry at all. Jesus responds that while this idea of remaining unmarried isn't for everyone, some are uniquely suited for it, implying it's a divine enablement rather than just a personal choice. He then elaborates by explaining different kinds of "eunuchs," including those who choose celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
"But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made…" — Jesus isn't just saying that some people choose not to marry; he's highlighting that the ability to live without marriage for the sake of the kingdom is a divine gift, not merely a human decision…
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Last reviewed October 2026
