What do you think Jesus meant by "eunuchs"?

Question

Matthew 19:12: 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.

Ok, so there is plenty of evidence that not all Eunuchs at the time were castrated - some eunuchs had children, and some were intact. Some people think that gay men would have been termed eunuchs.

What do you make of this passage?

Does anyone think they might become a eunuch "for the glory of God"?

Answer 1

The passage of inspired text to which you refer finds place with in the context of the Lord's conversation with the Jews who were tempting him in an effort to "catch him in his words" as they often did. The Jews knowing of the continued controversary about marriage law which found much addressing between the Jews who insisted that Moses allowed divorce for any reason, and the Jews who contended that that which Moses' law was restricted to divorce based upon adultrey only, well realized that the marriage, divorce, re-marriage topic was hotly contested. They concluded that such was indeed the best of subjects with which to put the Lord in the proverbial hot water before the then present audience.
The Lord, however, being wise to the foolishness of such simply asked the question; "have ye not read" the Scripture? The Lord plainly refered the Jews to the Garden of Eden when God established his law regarding marriage. It is of good importance to notice that in the context of Matt.19:1-12 the Lord twice referd to the "begining," going back to God's law regarding marriage established in the Garden. The Lord explained that God's law was never intended to be set aside concerning marriage, and that God intends that marriage is to be for life, and that divorce was never even so much as mentioned in the Genesis record. Thus the importance of that which the Lord stated in Matt.19:6 "That which God hath joined together, let not man put assunder."
The Jews then followed up with the question; "why did Moses then command " that a bill of divorcement be given? Jesus informed the Jews that Moses did so because of the "hardness of the hearts" (Matt. 19:8) of the Jews. Notice again the Lord's comment when he stated; "but from the begining it was not so" (Matt.19:8).
The Lord plainly revealed the fact that God's law pertaining to marriage was to be forever sealed, that is marriage is for life and only in the case of adultery may one (an innocent party) put away a mate. Only the innocent mate in a marriage has the right to divorce a spouce who has committed adultery. The innocent party then has the right to re-marry with God's approval, and only the innocent party (Matt.19:6).
The Lord plainly declared that one who was put away for adultery has lost the right to re-marry and must remain single. One guilty of adultery must come to the knowlege of the truth and comply with God's marriage law and remain single. For one to re-marry, who has committed adultery, places one in a continoius state of adultery. Thus the reason the Lord prohibited the mate guilty of adultry to re-marry. It must also be realized that the only reason the Lord authorized divorce is in fact adultery. If a divorce occurs in which neither spouce has committed adultery then neither spouce meets the requirements of the only exception authorized by the Lord to indeed acquire a divorce. Thus neither spouce has the right to re-marry, for neither one has indeed met the law establishing the exception the Lord allowed.
After the Lord had well explained this matter to the Jews then present, (the 12 apostles also being present) the apostles concluded that if that which the Lord had just set forth in verses 4-9 were true it would be better to never marry if one could not divorce his spouce (Matt.19:10). The Lord of course gave this a ready reply. The reply is indeed recorded in verses 11 and 12
Notice:
Verse 11; "But he (Jesus) said unto them, all men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given." The passage is this by way of explaination.
First; note that the words "But he said" are used. This of course settles the matter of the authority. It was Christ who said what he said. Therefore, all men ought to heed well that which has been declared in the passage.

Second; The Lord stated, "All men cannot receive this saying." That which must be here considered is the fact that the Lord meant "All men cannot" that is all men will not accept the sayings of the Lord recorded in verses 4-9. All men will not bring themselves to submissiveness regarding the Lord's commands of the afore mentioned verses. Thus they "cannot" or just plain will not accept the Lord's mandate regarding the laws of marriage, divorce and re-marriage.

Third; the phrase "save they to whom it is given" concludes this verse. Literaly the thought is; "save" (except) they to whom" (those willing to heed the Lord's command) " it " (the Lord's mandate of verses 4-9) "is given" (again, those willinf to comply with the Lord's law of verese 4-9).

Notice now verse 12.
"For there are some eunuchs, which were born so from their mother's womb." That is, a birth defect.

Second; Some were "made eunuchs" by men. A common practise in day of old was to indeed castrate men who were to serve in the palaces of kings. It was also a common for a conquering army to castrate their captives.

Third; Those who have or are willing to make "themselves eunuchs for the kindom of heaven's sake" are those who are indeed willing to remain unmarried when they learn that they have voilated the mandate of the Lord as recorded in verses 4-9. Men and women willing to accept the word and commands of the Lord regarding his law of marriage, divorce and re-marriage are indeed the ones who are willing to be "eunuchs for the kingdon of heaven's sake."

Fourth; The word "receive" (used twice in verse 12) is from the Greek word "lambano" which is defined as; "to accept, to take, to receive, that which has been offerd, issued or declared." Thus "all men" who are willing to take, accept, and reveive the mandated command of the Lord regarding the law of marriage, divorce and re-marriage will indeed do so and will "receice" the Lord's instruction and command regarding the matter.

The eunuchs of Matt.19:12 are those willing to accept the law of the Lord regarding marriage, divorce and re-marriage, and can be either men or women who chose to obey the Lord's decree regarding the subject.

I do hope you find this to be of good benefit to you and I hope you have been benefitted as a result of this discourse. I am willing to study the matter with you, (or anyone esle) further if you wish. You may contact me at [e-mail].

If I can be of further help regarding other matters please feel free to contact me regardless of the subject. I would encourage you and all to always demand book chapter and verse for what ever question you may have. Men may be wrong, but "the word of the Lord is right" (Psa.33:4)

Daniel H. Coe, Sr.
Evangelist, Church of Christ

Answer 2

Eunuchs can't have children, unless it was before he was a eunuch.

Jesus said some were born eunuchs. Gay men aren't eunuchs since they have sex with each other.

Eunuchs don't have sex with others. Some make themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. When someone is born that way, that is the way God made them. For a purpose. If God wants a eunuch to have children, God would do a creative miracle so the eunuch isn't an eunuch any more.


To be a sinner by committing sexual sins (sexual addictions) is a result of idolatry or disobedience to who God Is. Read Exodus 20 & Romans 1. Sexual iniquities never glorify God. This is actually sin, falling short of God's Glory.

There are many testimonies of ex-gay people who are now born again Christians. (Google ex-gays for Christ.) They may be married now or still single. If they are single then they serve the Lord God & not abide in sexual addictions.

Answer 3

I know I've mastered the ability to walk, talk and read. There's nothing much left to learn in these fields, and I can do it all with complete ease. Doesn't mean I never stub my toe, slur a few words, or stumble on a sentence now and then, but I've reached a point where it's completely causal. I'm not an olympic sprinter, or a public speaker, or a speed reader -- those are all entirely separate skills -- but what I learned is plenty to get through life. I never forget that the martial arts are called an art, whether or not that's an Eastern interpretation, but in the West this does have a purpose. An art couldn't be something you perfect. Music, painting and sculpting all have near limitless potential, but stages of development that you would have to "master" to get better. A black belt, as we've explained before on here, is about having a firm understanding of the fundamentals, or "All basic movements and techniques, can be applied with extended force and proper application in basic combination." The key words here would be "all basic movements and techniques" and "extended force and proper application". I would say there is a mastery of having LEARNED the requirements and KNOW how to put them to use, just not anything further from the basics. I think people go a little too far with the word, using it mostly erroneously, but the intent of comfortably and casually using what you've learned is what they're all implying. As for the martial arts as a whole, that I believe is impossible, especially as an art.

Answer 4

I do not think that a eunuch would have children. Eunuch are those who do not have relations with women and are celibate.

Those that make themselves eunuchs for the glory of God are those who chose to be celibate and remain unmarried so they can devote their entire lives to God. In today's world, these men are Catholic priests.

Answer 5

A eunuch is a guy cut out to be a bachelor.

Answer 6

Eunuchs can also mean celibates. That is why we Catholics have people who live consecrated lives (which does not just mean priests, monks, and nuns - individuals can take vows of celibacy as well, for this very purpose.)

Answer 7

Jesus meant celibate people.

Answer 8

there are people to this day who are born with no sex organs male or female ♠

Answer 9

if i was unable to keep it in my pants, or unable to get married, i might do it.