Matthew 19:11 (WEB)
But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Catechism · 4
The Sacrament of Matrimony
“It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to "receive" the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 19:11.
“It is he who gives them meaning and grants them the grace which is indispensable for living them out in conformity with his will.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 19:3-12.
The Ten Commandments
“observance of the Commandments, is joined to the call to poverty and chastity.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 19:6-12, 21, 23-29.
The Sixth Commandment
“"What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."” — Catechism footnote: Mk 109; cf. Mt 19:1-12; 1 Cor 7: 10-11.
Fathers and councils · 27
John Damascene
“Wherefore, although He did not enjoin that on us by law (for as He said, all men cannot receive this saying), yet in actual fact He taught us that and gave us strength for it.” — editor's note: St. Matt. xix. 11.
Read the whole comment
Cyprian of Carthage
“Let those who have once made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven please God in all things, and not offend God’s priests nor the Lord’s Church by the scandal of their wickedness.” — editor's note: [The frightful condition of heathen society inspired the effort to maintain celibacy, but all this suggests the divine wisdom and clemency in restricting it to…
Read the whole comment“For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb; and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11.
Read the whole comment“He who can receive it, let him receive it.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11, 12.
Read the whole comment
Augustine of Hippo
“And the Lord said, “All men cannot receive this saying, but let him that can receive it, receive it.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11, 12.
Read the whole comment“And so on, down to the words, “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 1–12.
Read the whole comment“For, upon His speaking after a divine and fearful manner concerning husband and wife not separating, save on account of fornication, His disciples said to Him, “If the case be such with a wife, it is not good to marry.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 10, 11, 12
Read the whole comment“But the Lord, concerning that greater and more glorious Continence itself, whereby there is continence from the marriage bond, says, “Not all can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11
Read the whole comment“But since, as the Lord saith, “Not all receive this word;” therefore let her who can receive it, receive it; and let her, who containeth not, marry; let her, who hath not begun, deliberate; let her, who hath undertaken…” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11
Read the whole comment“But forasmuch as it is written, “Whoso can receive, let him receive;” then do they receive who can, when silence is not kept even toward those who cannot.” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11, 12
Read the whole comment
John Chrysostom
“He said not, “yea, it is easier, and so do,” lest they should suppose that the thing is a law; but He subjoined, “Not all men receive it, but they to whom it is given,”raising the thing, and showing that it is great, and in this way drawing them on, and urging them.” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11.
Read the whole comment
Jerome
“Some people may be eunuchs from necessity; I am one of free will.” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11, 12.
Read the whole comment“And immediately by the instance of the three eunuchs he shows the blessedness of virginity which is bound by no carnal tie.” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 10–12.
Read the whole comment
Gregory the Great
“Let those who are unacquainted with the sins of the flesh hear what the Truth in person says concerning this purity; Not all receive this word (Matth. xix. 11).” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment
Clement of Alexandria
“Sunt enim eunuchi alii a nativitate, alii vero a necessitate.’”” — editor's note: Matt. xix. 11, 12.
Read the whole comment
Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
A wife is a grievous burden, if it is not permitted to put her away except for the cause of fornication. For what if she be a drunkard, an evil temper, or of evil habits, is she to be kept? The Apostles, perceiving…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For it is a lighter thing to contend with himself, and his own lust, than with an evil woman.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
And the Lord said not, It is good, but rather assented that it is not good. However, He considered the weakness of the flesh; “But he said unto them, All cannot receive this saying;” that is, All are not able to do this.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But let none think, that wherein He adds, “save they to whom it is given,” that either fate or fortune is implied, as though they were virgins only whom chance has led to such a fortune. For that is given to those…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But all cannot obtain it, because all do not desire to obtain it. The prize is before them; he who desires the honour will not consider the toil. None would ever vanquish, if all shunned the struggle. Because then…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then to shew that this is possible, He says, “For there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men;” as much as to say, Consider, had you been so made of others, you would have lost the pleasure without gaining…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For as the deed without the will does not constitute a sin; so a righteous act is not in the deed unless the will go with it. That therefore is honourable continence, not which mutilation of body of necessity…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
He speaks of three kinds of eunuchs, of whom two are carnal, and one spiritual. One, those who are so born of their mother’s womb; another, those whom enemies or courtly luxury has made so; a third, those who have…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
The cause in one item he assigns nature; in the next violence, and in the last his own choice, in him, namely, that determined to be so from hope of the kingdom of heaven.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For they are born such, just as others are born having six or four fingers. For if God according as He formed our bodies in the beginning, had continued the same order unchangeably, the working of God would have been…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or we may say otherwise. The eunuchs from their mothers’ wombs are they whose nature is colder, and not prone to lust. And they that are made so of men are they whom physicians made so, or they whom worship of idols…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
When he says, “Who have made themselves eunuchs,” He does not mean cutting off of members, but a putting away of evil thoughts. For he that cuts off a limb is under a curse, for such an one undertakes the deeds of…
Read the whole comment
Cross-references · 23
Cited together in Catechism §1615.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in Catechism §2364.
Cited together in Catechism §2364.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in On Continence Chapter 1.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 61.
Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.29.
Cited together in Catechism §1615.
Cited together in Catechism §1615.