In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says:
"For there are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb; and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men; and there be some eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake." (King James Version)
I read on a website that some of the Heaven's Gate Christians castrated themselves because Jesus said that it's a way to get to heaven. Is that what he meant in this passage, when he said that some eunuchs "have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake"?
2007-05-06 08:32:39 · 18 answers · asked by Billybww 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've been telling church people for years they need to have the holy operation, but they won't listen.
2007-05-06 08:38:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is a good question and I found something I didn't know by your question and will pass it along. I thought a eunuch was a person who was sterile by birth, by castration or by choice of abstention. This is so by definition but the old Aramaic bible the words are different. They say,
"For there are the faithful ones, which were so born from their mother's womb, and there are faithful ones which are made of man, and there are faithful ones which are self-made faithful ones for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. Whoever can accept, let him accept." This verse refers to Christ's discussion about marriage and because of the Laws some people after marriage could not get a divorce. This would give some a reason not to get married and about making the right choice before getting locked into a marriage. He said the Law is, There is no reason one is to divorce unless by adultery.
Rev. TomCat
2007-05-06 16:18:16 · answer #2 · answered by Rev. TomCat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he wasn't telling men to castrate themselves (!!!).
When he said those who "made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake," I think he was referring to missionaries - those who went out and preached the Gospel refrained from marriage (or from having sex with their wives) for a period of time (ie not permanently) so that they could devote themselves more fully to the ministry.
"Eunuchs of men" refers to slaves who were castrated, in those times. I'm not sure what "eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb" - maybe this refers to people incapable of reproduction, such as some people with congenital anomalies.
I would say castration would NOT be recommended by men of the church, since the command to "multiply and replenish the earth" has never been rescinded.
2007-05-06 15:45:02 · answer #3 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since all cannot handle it ( v 11 ), Jesus is not enjoying celibacy here. Rather, He makes it entirely matter of personal choice - except for those who are physically unable to marry, either through natural causes or because of the violence of other men. Still others may find there are pragmatic reasons to not to marry for the good of the kingdom ( 1 Cor 7:7-9). But in no way Christ did Christ suggest that celibacy is superior to marriage ( Gen 2:18, 1 Ti 4:3 )
2007-05-06 15:41:17 · answer #4 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about the Ethiopian "Eunuch" who wanted education and baptism right away?
He was a government official! Not castrated!
The word has different meanings!
2007-05-06 15:45:50 · answer #5 · answered by Wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CHRISTIAN... here in America... IS A GENERIC... TERM!
(Galatians 3:1-2-3) O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you not to obey the truth, to whom before your eyes Jesus Christ was written among you crucified?
(Gal 3:2) This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
(Gal 3:3) Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now perfect yourself in the flesh?
Read what this says.... NO... Jesus did not preach Castration for a way to heaven!
Thanks, RR
2007-05-06 15:38:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
YOU ARE FULL OF IT!!!!
Did you read the verses above it?
They think that if they change their bodies, they can do it for Heaven's sake----------which is what I understand it to say.
What IS a Eunuch?
2007-05-06 15:38:06 · answer #7 · answered by bettyboop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Heavens Gate cult castrated themselves for a misinterpretation. They also killed themselves because their leader was a total lunatic.
2007-05-06 15:40:47 · answer #8 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was talking about the ability to remain undistracted by marriage for the sake of the kingdom of God. He was NOT speaking in terms of literally castrating oneself. In fact, He even indicates that it is not given to all, but only to those who are able to receive it. Their being able to live without a spouse and without burning up with passion was not because of self-mutulation, but because they were able to choose to do so.
Tom
2007-05-06 15:37:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Staying single helps you serve God better.
It doesn't mean that you have to do something that bad to yourself.
1 Corinthians 7:28 "But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin [person] married, such one would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh. But I am sparing YOU."
2007-05-06 15:41:11 · answer #10 · answered by sxanthop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first we need to now what a eunuch is,to determine the statis of it
2007-05-06 15:51:51 · answer #11 · answered by Me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋