Matthew 19:12

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

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 be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
KJV
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 be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
WEB
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
ASV
For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother`s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven`s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
DARBY
for there are eunuchs which have been born thus from [their] mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs who have made eunuchs of themselves for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].
BLB
For there are eunuchs who were born thus from the womb of [their] mother, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of the heavens. The one being able to receive [it], let him receive [it].”
ÅB
For det finnes evnukker som er født slik fra mors liv, og det finnes evnukker som er kastrert av mennesker, og det finnes evnukker som har kastrert seg selv for himlenes rikes skyld. Den som kan forstå dette, la ham forstå det!»
OTB
For det finnes evnukker som ble født slik, og det finnes evnukker som ble gjort til evnukker av andre, og det finnes de som velger å leve som evnukker for himmelrikets skyld. La enhver akseptere dette som kan.»
B1930
For der er gildinger som er født slik av mors liv, og der er gildinger som er gildet av menneskene, og der er gildinger som har gildet sig selv for himlenes rikes skyld. Den som kan fatte dette ord, han fatte det!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 7:32–38

    But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 9:5

    Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 56:3–4

    Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 39:7

    And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 9:15

    But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

    Read in context