He responded, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept it should accept it.” Matthew 19:11-12 CSB
Yesterday, a friend shared with me a post from Facebook where someone had said they found this passage confusing. They had only posted verse 12 which begins with, “For there are eunuchs…”
This verse by itself may be very confusing. But if you look at what was said before this, it simplifies it a bit. But that is like taking one or two words from a whole conversation.
The Pharisees were always trying to test Jesus in verse 3. They asked him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds? Jesus responded (as he usually did) by quoting Scripture. He quoted from Genesis 1:27 saying, “He who created them in the beginning made them male and female.”
They were trying to entrap Jesus because several different groups held several different views on the subject of divorce. One group held that the only grounds for divorce was sexual immorality. The other held that a man could divorce his wife for any reason.
Jesus quoted Genesis 2:24 saying, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife and they become one flesh.” Jesus explained in verse 6, “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.”
They then asked Him why Moses’ command allowed for a certificate of divorce. Jesus responded with, Moses permits divorce because of the hardness of men’s hearts. This underscores the truth that divorce is only a last-resort response to hard-hearted sexual immorality.
Jesus’ disciples, understanding the binding nature of marriage, then asked if it was better for one not to marry. In verse 11, Jesus responds with our Scripture passage for today. Jesus is explaining not everyone can handle celibacy and He does not require it here. Rather, he makes it entirely a matter of personal choice-except for those who are physically unable to marry either through natural causes or the violence of other men.
Jesus is saying some may choose celibacy for the good of the kingdom as Paul did and mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9. Paul said to the widows and the unmarried that it was good for them to be celibate as he was. But he went on to say if they could not exercise self-control let them marry. For it is better for a man to marry than to burn with passion.
Jesus did not favor celibacy over marriage, He demonstrates this in Genesis 2:18 which says, “And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” In 1 Timothy 4, Paul speaks about how some will depart from the faith in latter times. In verse 3, he says that some will forbid to marry. He says in verse 4 that every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.
A verse that thoroughly confused me was Proverbs 26:4-5, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” Sounds contradictory to me. But these verses are complimentary. It is unwise to argue with a fool at his level or even recognize his foolish suppositions. But there are times when it is best to refute him soundly, so he does not feel his foolish opinions are confirmed.
I spent many years of my life not reading the Bible because I found parts of it confusing. Once I learned how to study it, I couldn’t put it down.
If a passage is confusing, look at what is said before and after. Look for cross references. Scripture backs up or explains Scripture. Get a good Bible commentary or Study Bible. Join a Bible study group. Attend a church with a pastor whose preaches from the Bible.
If you are looking for a good book to read, there is none better than the Bible. Start in Genesis. Study the creation and go from there. For years I wouldn’t read Revelation, I couldn’t understand it. But I went through a study and found that it is a wonderful book. If you read the end of the book, you know we Christians win!
Have a great day!