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 eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

MATTHEW 19:12KJV
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Matthew 19:12 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:12 mean?

Matthew 19:12 describes how some people are eunuchs by birth, some are made eunuchs by others, and some choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says that only those who can accept this teaching should do so.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after a discussion about marriage and divorce. He explains that not everyone is called to marriage; some people, for different reasons, remain unmarried or celibate. Jesus recognizes that this way of life is not for everyone, but for those who are able to accept it, especially for spiritual reasons.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:12

  • εὐνοῦχοι (eunouchoi, "eunuchs"): This word refers to men who cannot have children, either because of birth, human intervention, or personal choice. In this context, it also points to those who choose celibacy for spiritual reasons, not just physical inability.
  • βασιλεία (basileia, "kingdom"): Used here to mean the kingdom of heaven, showing that some choose celibacy as a way to serve God more fully.
  • δέχασθαι (dechastai, "to receive"): The Greek word for "receive" here means to accept or make room for an idea, highlighting that Jesus is not commanding this for everyone but offering it as a calling for some.

Why Matthew 19:12 matters

  • Matthew 19:12 clarifies that Jesus does not require celibacy from everyone, but recognizes it as a special calling for some, especially for spiritual reasons.
  • The verse helps explain Jesus’ teaching on marriage by showing that singleness or celibacy can also be a faithful way to live, not a lesser or forced condition.
  • This teaching connects to the wider passage by showing Jesus’ respect for different life situations and His understanding that following God can look different for different people.

Where else these words appear

“eunuchs” Greek G2135 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
  • Acts 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
  • Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

“receive” Greek G5562 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
  • John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

“womb” Greek G2836 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
  • Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
  • Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

“born” Greek G1080 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Acts 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.