{But they to whom it is given} (all' hois dedotai). A
neat Greek idiom, dative case of relation and perfect passive
indicative. The same idea is repeated at the close of verse  12 .
It is a voluntary renunciation of marriage for the sake of the
kingdom of heaven. "Jesus recognizes the severity of the demand
as going beyond the capacity of all but a select number." It was
a direct appeal to the spiritual intelligence of the disciples
not to misconceive his meaning as certainly the monastic orders
have done.