Matthew 19:11-13
New English Translation
11 He[a] said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth,[b] and some who were made eunuchs[c] by others,[d] and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.”
Jesus and Little Children
13 Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray.[e] But the disciples scolded those who brought them.[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 19:11 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 19:12 tn Grk “from the womb of the mother” (an idiom).
- Matthew 19:12 tn The verb εὐνουχίζω occurs twice in this verse, translated the first time as “made eunuchs” and the second time as “became eunuchs.” The term literally refers to castration. The second occurrence of the word in this verse is most likely figurative, though, referring to those who willingly maintain a life of celibacy for the furtherance of the kingdom (see W. D. Davies and D. C. Allison, Matthew [ICC], 3:23).
- Matthew 19:12 tn Grk “people.”
- Matthew 19:13 tn Grk “so that he would lay his hands on them and pray.”
- Matthew 19:13 tn Grk “the disciples scolded them.” In the translation the referent has been specified as “those who brought them,” since otherwise the statement could be understood to mean that the disciples scolded the children rather than their parents who brought them.
Matthew 19:11-13
New International Version
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.(A) 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
The Little Children and Jesus(B)
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them(C) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
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