Are there still men at present who made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake Matthew 19v12?

Answer 1

The Hebrew and Greek words sa·ris´ and eu·nou´khosare translated eunich into English, and mean literally a human male who has been castrated. These were appointed to postions in the royal courts to serve as attendants, to the queen, the king's harem, and the women of the royal court. (Es 2:3, 12-15; 4:4-6, 9) These often rose to high positons. The term also came to refer to any official assigned to carry out duties in the king's court, but this did not mean that these latter ones were actually made literal eunuchs.

Under the Mosiac Law, a literal eunuch, or castrated male, could not become part of the congregation of God's people. (De 23:1) The Bible does not record that any Isrealite or any f the alien residents in Israel were ever made eunichs to serve in the palace of the king in Israel. The Law required that slaves were circumcised, but not to be castrated. The pagan nations around Israel did, however, did make eunuchs of some of the children that were their prisoners of war.

In Acts Chapter 8, we read of the Ethiopian eunich who Philip preached to. This one was a high official to the queen of Ethiopia. He was also a Jewish proselyte, and had come to Jerusalem for worship to Jehovah. Since the Law prevented a castrated person from becoming part of the congregation of Jews, it is reasonable to conclude that in this case, the term "eunich" was not applied to this man in the literal sence of being a castrated male,. but in the sence of the position that he held in the Ethiopian court. (Ac 8:26-39; De 23:1) Likewise, Ebed-melech, who rescued Jeremiah from the cistern, was referred to as a eunich, serving in King Zedekiah's court, and it this term would refer to his being a court official, and not a literal castrated male. -Jer 38:7-13.

Isaiah's prophecy tells of a time when eunuchs could receive the bleesing of a name better than sons and daughters, and be accepted by God as his worshipers. Since the Mosaic Law was done away with by the sacrificeof Jesus Christ, and the Law of the Christ is now ineffect, everyone who exercises faith in Christ can join the ranks of spiritual sons of God, regardless of their former condition. Isa 56:4, 5; Joh 1:12; 1Co 7:24; 2Co 5:16.

In Matthew chapter 19, verse 12, Jesus describes three types of eunichs. He tells of "eunuchs that were born such from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs that were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs that have made themselves eunuchs on account of the kingdom of the heavens. Let him that can make room for it make room for it." Jesus mentioning those who "made themselves eunuchs" for the sake of the kingdom is not a recommendation of self-mutilation, but rather it is those who excercise self-control, so that they can serve God without distraction. Paul also speaks of serving without distraction when he recommends chosing the "better" course for servants of God, by not becoming "inflamed with passion." (1Co 7:9, 29-38) The scriptures ar not speaking of persons who have literally castrated themseves, but rather who have chosen to remain single. However, the Bible does not condone the other extreme, that is, a vow of celibacy. One who chooses to remain single for a time to serve God more fully may choose to marry at a later time. The Bible actually mentions the "forbidding to marry" as a mark of apostacy. In fact, Peter, and some others of the apostles were married. -1Ti 4:1-3; 1Co 9:5; Mt 8:14; Mr 1:30; Lu 4:38

One who has "made himself a eunuch for the sake of the kingdom"would therefore be referring to a person who exercises self-control, and remains spiritually clean and chaste, not serving false gods. -(Ezekiel 23: 36-42)

AnswerThe followers of the sect "Skoptsi" in Russia did it. I don't know if there are still adherents at present.

See related link "Skoptsi" on left...