Mat 19:11-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 11. All men cannot receive this saying . The minds of men are not prepared for this. This saying evidently means what the disciples had just said, that it was good for a man not to marry . It might be good in certain circumstances, in times of persecution and trial, or for the sake of lab outing in the cause of religion, without the care and burden of a family. It might be good for many to live as some of the apostles did, without marriage, but it was not given to all men, . To be married, or unmarried, might be lawful according to circumstances, .

Matthew 19:11-12

Verse 11. All men cannot receive this saying. The minds of men are not prepared for this. This saying evidently means what the disciples had just said, that it was good for a man not to marry. It might be good in certain circumstances, in times of persecution and trial, or for the sake of lab outing in the cause of religion, without the care and burden of a family. It might be good for many to live as some of the apostles did, without marriage, but it was not given to all men, 1Cor 7:1,7,9. To be married, or unmarried, might be lawful according to circumstances, 1Cor 7:26. Verse 12. Jesus proceeds to state that there were some who were able to receive that saying, and to remain in an married state. Some were so born; some made such by the cruelty of men; and some who voluntarily abstained from marriage for the kingdom of heaven's sake--that is, that they might devote themselves entirely to the proper business of religion. Perhaps he refers here to the ESSENES, a sect of the Jews Mt 3:7 who held that marriage was unsuitable to their condition, who had no children of their own, but perpetuated their sect by adopting the poor children of others. Eunuchs were employed chiefly in attending on the females, or in the harem. They rose often to distinction, and hold important offices in the state. Hence the word sometimes denotes such an officer of state, Acts 8:27.

(h) "kingdom of heaven's sake" 1Cor 7:32