Matthew 19:12

Thursday, 30 April 2026   For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” Matthew 19:12   Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)   You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).   “For they are eunuchs who from mother’s womb were born thus, and they are eunuchs who, they were eunuchized by men, and they are eunuchs who, they eunuchized themselves through the ‘kingdom, the heavens’. The ‘being able to contain’ he contains.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples about those who could accept the premise concerning whether to marry or not. He next explains who those exceptions would be, beginning, “For they are eunuchs who, ‘from mother’s womb’ were born thus.”   A new word is seen here, the noun eunouchos, a eunuch. Strong’s definition says, “a castrated person (such being employed in Oriental bed-chambers); by extension an impotent or unmarried man; by implication, a chamberlain (state-officer) -- eunuch.” The word is derived from eune, a bed, and echo, to have or hold. As such, the idea of “alone in bed” is understood.   Jesus’ words of this first clause extend the idea of being a eunuch to a person born incapable of sex. Such a person is the first exception to the thought presented in the previous verse. Jesus continues, saying, “and they are eunuchs who, they were eunuchized by men.”   Another new word is seen, the verb eunouchizó, to eunuchize. It signifies making someone unable to procreate through mutilation or removal of the genitals (castration). The practice was once common. Today, it is much less common, but it has not died out. Religious cults and isolated subcultures still engage in the practice.   Further, sexual criminals are still castrated either through surgery or chemical castration. These are the second exception. The third category is noted as Jesus continues, “and they are eunuchs who, they eunuchized themselves through the ‘kingdom, the heavens’.”   This is the second and last use of the verb eunouchizó. As noted, the word extends beyond the standard idea of castration. It will figuratively be applied to those who don’t engage in sexual activity for other reasons, including impotency or abstinence.   Some people are disciplined enough not to engage in sexual activity. They have placed something else above that aspect of life. In the case of acceptable self-denial, Jesus notes that there are those who have purposefully decided to pursue the kingdom of the heavens above marriage.   Paul was in this category. He refers to it in 1 Corinthians 7 and 1 Corinthians 9. He placed kingdom priorities above taking a wife. These are the three exceptions that are noted. The intent of Jesus’ words is that, apart from these categories, marriage is the normally expected avenue for humanity. This is reflected in Jesus’ final words on the matter, “The ‘being able to contain’ he contains.”   In other words, if you fall into one of these categories, then your state is an acceptable exception to the original intent for humanity, which is to marry and remain married to your spouse.   Life application: In 1 Timothy 4, Paul says –   “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:1-5   There are problems with forcing abstinence on others. First, it is contrary to the intent set forth for humanity as given in the first pages of Scripture. Second, it generally leads to other, more deviant side problems.   Paul’s words in these verses are like an indictment on Roman Catholicism, penned in advance of the rise of that ideology. In order to serve the Lord as a “priest” or a “nun,” there must be a vow of abstinence, something not found in Scripture. It forces people to go against what is natural. That has led to sexual deviancy within their orders that is almost unmatched in any religion in history.   Homosexuality, molesting of children, violation of the “vows” between priests and lay people, or priests and the nunnery have filled Roman Catholicism since its inception. The RCC also commands that adherents abstain from certain foods at certain times, such as on certain days of the week.   These completely unbiblical practices set it off as the world’s largest aberrant cult. Deviation from the Bible, either through allowing what it does not allow or commanding what it does not forbid, is wholly unacceptable. Be sure to stick with the Bible. Reject any teaching in any denomination or local church that does not comply with what the Bible presents.   Lord God, help us to know and apply Your precious word to our lives. May we not deviate from it. If we have had something contrary to what it teaches trained into us, help us to identify that precept and cut it out of our lives. May it be so to Your glory. Amen.