What is the meaning of Matthew 19:11? Not everyone can accept this word Jesus has just explained that lifelong, covenant marriage is God’s design (Matthew 19:3-9) and that singleness for the sake of the kingdom is a real call (Matthew 19:12). He immediately adds, “Not everyone can accept this word.” • The statement acknowledges that His teaching runs against human instinct and cultural norms—just as many disciples once said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60). • Scripture affirms that the “natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14); apart from divine help, people resist truths that confront their desires. • Hard hearts (Matthew 19:8) and worldly pressures make both Jesus’ view of marriage and the call to celibacy appear impractical or even impossible. • Yet the very fact that some do receive it proves the word itself is not too hard; the issue lies with human unwillingness (Matthew 23:37). He replied By inserting this brief phrase, the text reminds us that the authority behind the teaching is Jesus Himself. • Earlier crowds “were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22). • His reply is not mere opinion; it is the Lord’s interpretation of God’s revealed will, the same voice that stilled storms and forgave sins (Matthew 8:26; 9:6). • When He speaks, the sheep recognize His voice (John 10:27). Accepting or rejecting the word is ultimately a response to Him personally, not just to an ethical standard. but only those to whom it has been given The capacity to embrace Jesus’ hard saying is a gift. • Jesus told the Twelve, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (Matthew 13:11; cf. Luke 8:10). • He later said, “No one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65). Divine grace enables both faith and obedience. • Paul echoes this: “Each has his own gift from God, one this, another that” (1 Corinthians 7:7). The call to lifelong marriage, or to celibate kingdom service, is bestowed along with the necessary grace to live it. • Salvation itself is “by grace … through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8), and believing is “granted” to us (Philippians 1:29). • Therefore, those who accept Jesus’ words do so because the Father opens their hearts (Acts 16:14). Our response is real and responsible, yet it rests on prior divine enabling. summary Matthew 19:11 teaches that Christ’s high view of marriage and the costly call to celibacy can only be received by hearts God has prepared. Human nature resists, but divine grace grants sight, faith, and strength. Jesus speaks with absolute authority, and those to whom the Father gives understanding joyfully embrace His word and live it out, confident that the Giver supplies all that He commands. |
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