Born Eunuch: An Interpretation of Matthew 19:12

Abstract

In three passages of the synoptic gospels of Matthew 19:3-12, Mark 10:2-12 and Luke 16:18, Christ responded to the issue of divorce in marriage by validating the no-divorce-in-marriage principle, as well as calling marrying another person adultery. It was only in Matthew 19:10-12 that the disciples, in response to Christ’s discussion with the people, made rather cynical suggestive comments about the needfulness of marriage. Jesus’ statement about the three categories of eunuchs required further elaboration—which this research work provided—rather than a generalized answer to the disciples’ concerns. There are three Greek expressions within the context of the three categories of eunuchs in Matthew 19:12— ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν, εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων and εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τὴν βασιλείαν –which required in depth study. This research helped in validating the fact that Jesus affirmed the idealness of marriage and that the expressions used by Jesus in the eunuch-statement in Matthew 19:12 were literal expressions in a rhetorical way, especially those who are eunuchs from their mothers’ womb. The methodology applied in unraveling the difficulties in the text had to be solved through the process of exegesis. This involved the use of syntactical analysis of the various phrasal expressions in the text. A lexical discussion of the major terms in the text as well provided opening to the meaning of the passage. The works of scholars who provided their insights through commentaries and scholarly articles complimented primary sources, which included the Greek New Testament (Fourth Revised Edition) and other English versions. This work provides a basis to understand that Jesus affirms marriage as ordained by heaven. However, in Matthew 19:12, Jesus provides an exemption for those who could not contract a marital relationship basically because of impotence, defects and withdrawal often exhibited towards sexual or marital relationships. All these were the results of been born with these conditions. In conclusion, the implication on the church is the understanding that not all persons could get married because they came into existence just that way—not because they willed themselves to be or were influenced by their parents—and may not be forced into any conjugal relationship. Their state of singleness should rather be used to the greatest possible advantage of the kingdom and the blessings of humanity.