11-12. This teaching does not apply to everyone. What the disciples had just said in Matthew 19:10. Marriage is normal; celibacy is abnormal, and only those with a special "gift" should attempt to practice it. Jesus gives three examples: (1) one who is born sexless; (2) one who has been "desexed" [It was common in the ancient world to take healthy young male slaves and "desex" them. Often they were given high positions in the government, as the Eunuch in Acts 8:27]; (3) one who for religious reasons did not marry. Paul himself was such a one [although he was possibly a widower when be became a Christian]. NOTE THE OTHER APOSTLES WERE MARRIED 1 Corinthians 9:5.

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Old Testament