Note 9 at Mt 19:12: A "eunuch" was an impotent man (not capable of sexual relations) who usually had been castrated before puberty. Jesus said in this verse, however, that some men were born this way, some were made impotent by men (to serve as chamberlains and to care for harems, Es 2:15), and some made themselves impotent to better serve the kingdom of God. In both the Old and New Covenants, eunuchs had the same standing in God's eyes as anyone else (Isa 56:3-5 and Ac 8:26-39). Because they often served in the courts of kings, there are many Old Testament and New Testament examples of eunuchs with high positions and authority (Da 1:3-18 and Ac 8:27).

The Hebrew word translated "eunuch" in the Old Testament is the word "CARIYC," and it means "to castrate" (Strong's Concordance). This same word is translated "officer(s)" twelve times in the Old Testament (as in Ge 37:36; 39:1; 40:2, and 7) and "chamberlain(s)" thirteen times (as in Es 1:10, 12, 15; 2:21; and 4:4-5). The Greek word translated "eunuch" in the New Testament is the word "EUNOUCHOS," and it means "a castrated person...by extension an impotent or unmarried man" (Strong's Concordance).

On the basis of these definitions, those who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake are simply men who remained unmarried to spend more time seeking the Lord and spreading the Gospel. Paul referred to this as a "gift" (1Co 7:7-9, 17, 20, 25-26, 32, 35, and 37) and said those called to it should walk in that call (1Co 7:17 and 20). Jesus said the only men who could receive this saying are those "to whom it is given" (compare with note 8 at Mt 19:11). It is a doctrine of devils to forbid anyone to marry (1Ti 4:1-3).