10 His disciples said to Him, (A)“If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

Jesus Teaches on Celibacy

11 But He said to them, (B)“All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are [a]eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and (C)there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children(D)

13 (E)Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for (F)of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:12 Emasculated men

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

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.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs(D) to such as these.”(E) 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

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