Matthew 19:11

Dutch 1939 (De Heilige Schrift, Petrus Canisiusvertaling, 1939)

Hij sprak tot hen: Niet allen begrijpen dit woord, maar zij alleen, aan wie het gegeven is.

Wat betekent dit?

Jesus is talking to his disciples about marriage and says that not everyone can accept or understand this teaching unless God gives them the ability to do so. He's acknowledging that some people are called to celibacy for the sake of the kingdom.

Uitgelegd voor kinderen

Imagine you have a really hard puzzle, and only some kids in your class can figure it out because they’ve been given special help. Jesus is saying that understanding some things about marriage is like that - not everyone gets it right away unless God helps them understand.

Historische achtergrond

The Gospel of Matthew was written by one of Jesus' disciples around 80-90 AD, aimed at a Jewish-Christian audience in the Roman Empire. The cultural context emphasized traditional views on marriage and family.

Toepassing voor vandaag

Today, we might apply this to understanding complex faith commitments like celibacy for ministry. Some people feel called to remain unmarried to serve God more fully, which requires special grace from God that others don't necessarily receive or understand.

Onderwerpen

• marriage
• celibacy
• God's calling
• understanding faith
• special grace
• kingdom of heaven

Gerelateerde verzen

• 1 Corinthians 7:7
• Mark 10:11-12
• Ephesians 5:22-33
• Malachi 2:14-16
• Matthew 5:31-32

Veelgestelde vragen

Does this verse mean that Jesus supports celibacy over marriage?

No, it suggests that some people are called to celibacy for the sake of serving God more fully, while others are called to marriage. It's about individual calling from God.

Can I choose not to marry based on Matthew 19:11?

The verse acknowledges that some people are given a special grace for celibacy, but the choice should be made in prayer and seeking guidance from spiritual leaders.

What does 'they to whom it is given' mean?

It means those who receive divine assistance or calling directly from God to understand and live out this teaching on marriage and celibacy.

Is this verse only for religious leaders?

No, while it might be more commonly recognized in religious contexts, it applies to anyone called by God to celibacy for the kingdom's sake, not limited to those in formal ministry roles.