John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 12. For there are some eunuchs , etc.] Our Lord here distinguishes the various sorts of persons, that can and do live in a single state with content: some by nature, and others by violence offered to them, are rendered incapable of entering into a marriage state; and others, through the gift of God, and under the influence of his grace, abstain from marriage cheerfully and contentedly, in order to be more useful in the interest of religion; but the number of either of these is but few, in comparison of such who choose a conjugal state, and with whom it is right to enter into it, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may attend it. Some men are eunuchs, and of these there are different sorts; there are some, which were so born from their mothers womb ; meaning, not such who, through a natural temper and inclination of mind, could easily abstain from marriage, and chose to live single; but such who had such defects in nature that they were impotent, unfit for, and unable to perform the duties of a marriage state; who, as some are born without hands or feet, these were born without proper and perfect organs of generation; and such an one was, by the Jews, frequently called, hmh syrs , an eunuch of the sun f1024 : that is, as their doctors explain it, one that from his mothers womb never saw the sun but as an eunuch; that is, one that is born so; and that such an one is here intended, ought not to be doubted. The signs of such an eunuch, are given by the Jewish writers, which may be consulted by those, that have ability and leisure. This sort is sometimes f1027 called ym ydyb syrs an eunuch by the hands of heaven, or God, in distinction from those who are so by the hands, or means of men, and are next mentioned: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men : as among the Romans formerly, and which Domitian the emperor forbid by a law f1028 ; and more especially in the eastern countries, and to this day among the Turks, that they may the more safely be entrusted with the custody of their women; and this sort the Jews call da syrs , an eunuch of men, or da ydyb , by the hands of men. The distinction between an eunuch of the sun, and an eunuch of men, is so frequent with the Jews f1029 , and so well known to them, that a question need not be made of our Lords referring to it: and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs ; not in a literal sense, in which the words are not to be taken, as they were by Origen; who though otherwise too much pursued the allegorical way of interpreting Scripture, here took it literally, and castrated himself f1030 ; as did also a sort of heretics, called Valesians f1031 , from one Valens an Arabian; and which practice is recommended by Philo the Jew f1032 , and by Heathen philosophers f1033 , for the sake of chastity. But here it means such, who having the gift of continency without mutilating their bodies, or indulging any unnatural lusts, can live chastely without the use of women, and choose celibacy: for the kingdom of heavens sake ; not in order, by their chaste and single life, to merit and obtain the kingdom of glory; but that they might be more at leisure, being free from the incumbrances of a marriage state, to attend the worship and service of God, the ordinances of the Gospel church state, to minister in, and preach the Gospel of Christ, and be a means of spreading it in the world, and of enlarging his kingdom and interest. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it : whoever is able to receive cordially, and embrace heartily, the above saying concerning the expediency and goodness of a single life, and having the gift of continency, can live according to it; let him take it, and hold it fast, and act up to it; he may have less of worldly trouble, and be more useful for God in the Gospel of Christ, and to the interest of religion; but this should be a voluntary thing: no man should be forced into it; and he that goes into it, ought to consider well whether he is able to contain, or not.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-12 - The Pharisees were desirous of drawing something from Jesus which the might represent as contrary to the law of Moses. Cases about marriag have been numerous, and sometimes perplexed; made so, not by the law of God, but by the lusts and follies of men; and often people fix what they will do, before they ask for advice. Jesus replied by askin whether they had not read the account of the creation, and the firs example of marriage; thus pointing out that every departure therefro was wrong. That condition is best for us, and to be chosen and kept to accordingly, which is best for our souls, and tends most to prepare u for, and preserve us to, the kingdom of heaven. When the gospel i really embraced, it makes men kind relatives and faithful friends; i teaches them to bear the burdens, and to bear with the infirmities of those with whom they are connected, to consider their peace an happiness more than their own. As to ungodly persons, it is proper tha they should be restrained by laws, from breaking the peace of society And we learn that the married state should be entered upon with grea seriousness and earnest prayer.
Greek Textus Receptus
εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P γαρ 1063 CONJ ευνουχοι 2135 N-NPM οιτινες 3748 R-NPM εκ 1537 PREP κοιλιας 2836 N-GSF μητρος 3384 N-GSF εγεννηθησαν 1080 5681 V-API-3P ουτως 3779 ADV και 2532 CONJ εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P ευνουχοι 2135 N-NPM οιτινες 3748 R-NPM ευνουχισθησαν 2134 5656 V-AAI-3P υπο 5259 PREP των 3588 T-GPM ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P ευνουχοι 2135 N-NPM οιτινες 3748 R-NPM ευνουχισαν 2134 5656 V-AAI-3P εαυτους 1438 F-3APM δια 1223 PREP την 3588 T-ASF βασιλειαν 932 N-ASF των 3588 T-GPM ουρανων 3772 N-GPM ο 3588 T-NSM δυναμενος 1410 5740 V-PNP-NSM χωρειν 5562 5721 V-PAN χωρειτω 5562 5720 V-PAM-3S
