Matthew 19:11
New International Version
Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

New Living Translation
“Not everyone can accept this statement,” Jesus said. “Only those whom God helps.

English Standard Version
But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.

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

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "Not all receive this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

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

New King James Version
But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given:

New American Standard Bible
But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

NASB 1995
But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

NASB 1977
But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

Legacy Standard Bible
But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

Amplified Bible
But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given.

Christian Standard Bible
He responded, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But He told them, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those it has been given to.

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

Contemporary English Version
Jesus told them, "Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching.

English Revised Version
But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He answered them, "Not everyone can do what you suggest. Only those who have that gift can.

Good News Translation
Jesus answered, "This teaching does not apply to everyone, but only to those to whom God has given it.

International Standard Version
"Not everyone can accept this saying," he replied, "except those to whom celibacy has been granted,

Majority Standard Bible
?Not everyone can accept this word,? He replied, ?but only those to whom it has been given.

NET Bible
He said to them, "Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given.

New Heart English Bible
But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he said to them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

Weymouth New Testament
"It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.

World English Bible
But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He said to them, “All do not receive this word, but those to whom it has been given;

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "Not all receive this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

Young's Literal Translation
And he said to them, 'All do not receive this word, but those to whom it hath been given;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, All have not room for this word, but to whom it is given.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “Not everyone is able to grasp this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

New American Bible
He answered, “Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted.

New Revised Standard Version
But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He said to them, This saying does not apply to every man, but to whom it is needed.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But he said to them, “Not every man can receive this saying, except he to whom it is given.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But he said to them: All can not accept this saying; only those to whom it is given.

Godbey New Testament
And He said to them, All do not receive this word, but those to whom it has been given.

Haweis New Testament
Then he said to them, All men are not capable of receiving this saying, but they to whom it is given.

Mace New Testament
but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency.

Weymouth New Testament
"It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.

Worrell New Testament
But He said to them, "Not all can receive this saying, but those to whom it has been given;

Worsley New Testament
but He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying of yours, but those only who have the gift of continence:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Teachings about Divorce
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.”…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:7
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1 Corinthians 7:17
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...

1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. / But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, / and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. ...

1 Corinthians 7:2
But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

1 Corinthians 7:25-28
Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. / Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. / Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife. ...

1 Corinthians 7:37
But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

1 Corinthians 7:40
In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 7:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.

1 Corinthians 7:3-5
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. / Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:12-16
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. / And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. / For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ...

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; / those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; / and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

1 Corinthians 7:36
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.


Treasury of Scripture

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

1 Corinthians 7:2,7,9,17,35
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…

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Matthew 19
1. Jesus heals the sick;
3. answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;
10. shows when marriage is necessary;
13. receives the little children;
16. instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;
20. and how to be perfect;
23. tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;
27. and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.














Not everyone can accept this word
This phrase introduces a profound truth about the nature of spiritual teachings and the human heart's readiness to receive them. The Greek word for "accept" is "χωρέω" (chōreō), which implies making room for or containing something. In the context of Jesus' teachings, it suggests that not all hearts are prepared or willing to make room for the challenging truths of the Kingdom of God. Historically, this reflects the varied responses to Jesus' message, as some were open and receptive, while others were resistant or hostile. The phrase underscores the necessity of spiritual readiness and openness to divine truths.

but only those to whom it has been given
This part of the verse emphasizes the divine sovereignty and grace involved in understanding and accepting spiritual truths. The Greek word "δίδωμι" (didōmi) for "given" indicates a gift or bestowal, suggesting that the ability to accept Jesus' teachings is not merely a human effort but a divine gift. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that faith and understanding are gifts from God, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9. It also highlights the mystery of divine election and the work of the Holy Spirit in illuminating hearts and minds to receive the truth of the Gospel. Historically, this has been a point of theological reflection and discussion, particularly in the context of God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

(11) All men cannot receive this saying.--As the words stand, "this saying" might refer either to the rule which our Lord had laid down on the subject of divorce, or to the comment of the disciples on that rule. What follows, however, determines the reference to the latter. Looking at marriage from a simply selfish point of view, and therefore with an entirely inadequate estimate of its duties on the one hand, and on the other of the temptations incident to the unmarried life when chosen on such grounds, they had come rashly to the conclusion that, if our Lord's rule held good, it was not good, not expedient, to "marry." He declares that judgment to be false. There were but few who were capable of acting safely on that conclusion. For those who were not so capable, and the next verse tells us who they were, marriage, with all its risks, was the truer, healthier, safer state. Alike in its brighter or sadder sides, in seeming success or seeming failure, it brought to men the discipline they needed.

Verse 11. - Our Lord makes a gentle reply to this observation of the disciples concerning the inexpediency of marriage under some circumstances. You say true, he seems to mean, but all men cannot receive this saying; i.e. their words, "It is not good to marry." But he endorses these words in a different signification from theirs. Their objection to marry arose from the impossibility of putting away a wife for any cause. Christ passes over these ignoble scruples, and enunciates the only principle which should lead a man to abstain from marriage. They to whom it is given. They to whom are given the call and the grace to abstain from marriage. These persons' practice forms an exception to the general view of the propriety and blessedness of the marriage state.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Not
Οὐ (Ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

everyone
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

can accept
χωροῦσιν (chōrousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5562: From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit.

this
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

word,”
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

[Jesus] answered,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“but only [those]
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

to whom
οἷς (hois)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

it has been given.
δέδοται (dedotai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 19:11 But he said to them Not all (Matt. Mat Mt)
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