Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 19:11

"But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given." — Matthew 19:11 (ASV)

“This word” refers to the disciples’ question in v.10 rather than Jesus’ statements in vv.4–9. Jesus responds that not everyone can live by such a verdict, i.e., abstinence from marriage. But some do, namely, those to whom it is given—those born eunuchs, those made eunuchs by others, and those who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of God (i.e., those who have renounced marriage in light of the disciples’ remark, “it is better not to marry”). Neither Jesus nor the apostles see celibacy as an intrinsically holier state than marriage (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1–3; Hebrews 13:4), nor as a condition for the top levels of ministry (Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5), but as a special calling granted for greater usefulness in the kingdom (see 1 Corinthians 7:32–35). Those who impose this discipline on themselves must remember Paul’s conclusion: it is better to marry than to burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:9).