Matthew 19:12

is an explanatory commentary on δέδοται. εὐνοῦχος : keeper of the bedchamber in an Oriental barem (from εὐνή, ed, and ἔχω), a jealous office, which could be entrusted only to such as were incapable of abusing their trust; hence one who has been emasculated. Jesus distinguishes three sorts, two physical and one ethical: (1) those born with a defect (ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτως); (2) those made such by art (εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων); (3) those who make themselves eunuchs (εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς). διὰ τὴν β. τ. ο., for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. This explains the motive and the nature of ethical eunuchism. Here, as in Matthew 15:17, Jesus touches on a delicate subject to teach His disciples a very important lesson, viz., that the claims of the Kingdom of God are paramount; that when necessary even the powerful impulses leading to marriage must be resisted out of regard to them. ὁ δυνάμενος χωρεῖν χωρείτω : by this final word Jesus recognises the severity of the demand as going beyond the capacity of all but a select number. We may take it also as an appeal to the spiritual intelligence of His followers = see that ye do not misconceive my meaning. Is not monasticism, based on vows of life-long celibacy, a vast baleful misconception, turning a military requirement to subordinate personal to imperial interests, as occasion demands, into an elaborate ascetic system?