Matthew 19:11

"His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”"

Key Reflection

In Matthew 19:11, Jesus' disciples express their concern about the seemingly absolute nature of the previous discussion on divorce and remarriage. They suggest that such strictures might make marriage impractical, indicating a misunderstanding of Christ's teachings as overly restrictive in the eyes of first-century societal norms. This interaction highlights the tension between Jesus' radical ethical demands and the practical realities faced by his followers, showing how his teachings were perceived as challenging conventional wisdom and social expectations.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

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, 1 Co 7:1,7,9. To be married, or unmarried, might be lawful according to circumstances, 1 Co 7:26.

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