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Matthew 19:11

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 19:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
Matthew 19:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.
10The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.
11But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
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.
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.
← Matthew 19:10Matthew 19:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them, etc.] With respect to the inference or conclusion, the disciples formed from what he had asserted: all men cannot receive this saying; of their’s, that it is not good to marry, but it is more proper and expedient to live a single life! every man, as the Syriac version renders it, is not hl qps, “sufficient”, or “fit”, for this thing; everyone has not the gift of continency, and indeed very few; and therefore it is expedient for such to marry; for what the disciples said, though it might be true in part, yet not in the whole; and though the saying might be proper and pertinent enough to some persons, yet not to all, and indeed to none, save they to whom it is given; to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given--that is, "That the unmarried state is better, is a saying not for everyone, and indeed only for such as it is divinely intended for." But who are these? they would naturally ask; and this our Lord proceeds to tell them in three particulars.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“All men cannot receive this saying - The minds of people are not prepared for this. This saying evidently means what the disciples had just said that it was good for a man not to marry. It might be good in certain circumstances - in times of persecution and trial, or for the sake of laboring in the cause of religion without the care and burden of a family. It might be good for many to live, as some of the apostles did, without marriage, but it was not given to all people, 1Co 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:7,1 Corinthians 7:9. To be married, or unmarried, might be lawful, according to circumstances, 1 Corinthians 7:26. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said to them - This is not universally true; it does not hold, with regard to all men, but with regard to those only to whom is given this excellent gift of God. Now this is given to three sorts of persons to some by natural constitution, without their choice: to others by violence, against their choice; and to others by grace with their choice: who steadily withstand their natural inclinations, that they may wait upon God without distraction. Matthew 19:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:11 This statement refers to the disciples’ comment (19:10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Co1 7:2, Co1 7:7, Co1 7:9, Co1 7:17, Co1 7:35 Matthew 19:12”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 19 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification