New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 19:11

The Cost of Following

“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given. Matthew 19:11 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 19:11, in plain English

Jesus says not everyone can accept this teaching — only those God gives the grace to live it out.

Why it's here

Jesus is honest: this is a hard path, and it takes a special gift from God to walk it.

Who's speaking

Jesus responds gently to the disciples' shock, acknowledging this isn't for everyone.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus doesn't pretend this is easy. He acknowledges that living this out requires something only God can give.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Jesus acknowledges not everyone can accept (chōreō) this teaching — it requires divine enablement ('only those to whom it has been given').

Language and setting

Jesus neither mandates nor dismisses singleness; He recognizes it as a grace-given calling for some.

Voice

Jesus responds to the disciples' surprise with a nuanced acknowledgment of different callings.

Significance

Jesus recognizes the difficulty of His teaching and introduces the category of those specially called to celibacy.

In context

Matthew 19:9–13

9Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.

12For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

13Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Read all of Matthew 19 — A rich young man walks away sad, children are welcomed, and the disciples wonder who can possibly be saved. Jesus redefines what it costs to follow him.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey
In the App

What's in the app that isn't here.

Seven translations

NIV, NLT, NKJV, KJV and the Berean — plus the Catholic NLT-CE and Douay-Rheims, with the full deuterocanon in the reading order.

Every verse, as you read

Tap any of the 31,102 for what it means, and any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, without leaving the chapter.

Selah

Start recording at church and put your phone away. You get the transcript, the key moments, and every verse referenced.

Prayer Maker

Say what's sitting on your heart and hear it back as a real prayer, in a warm voice. Keep the ones that land.

Every Word

The whole Bible in a year — five chapters a day, five days a week, weekends off. Built to be finished.

Today's Light

A verse each morning with its meaning, how it lands today, something to sit with, and a prayer to close it.

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad