Bible Strands
Matthew 19:11
“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples immediately after they observe that strict divorce regulations make marriage burdensome. He responds to their conclusion about celibacy by clarifying the scope of His teaching.
The words — The Greek verb χωροῦσιν (chōrousin) literally means "are able to receive" or "can accept," denoting capacity rather than mere intellectual assent.
The thread — The text’s emphasis on divine enablement mirrors Matthew 13:11, where Jesus states that understanding the kingdom's mysteries is granted to some but withheld from others, and aligns with 1 Corinthians 7:17, which instructs believers to remain in the calling to which God assigned them.
Why it lands — The passage first states that acceptance of this teaching is limited to those whom God grants capacity, before concluding that the one able to receive it must do so. It asks readers to abandon self-reliant calculation of religious duty and submit to the specific life God has authorized for them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Matthew 13:11 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
- 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 7:7 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 7:35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.