The eunuchs of the Bible were castrated males or those born incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. The purpose of intentional castration was to induce impotence and remove sexuality. It was a common practice in ancient times for rulers to castrate some of their servants and/or advisers in order to subdue and pacify them. It was especially common to castrate those who tended the royal harem.

In Matthew 19:12, Jesus mentions eunuchs. He says, “There are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.” This discussion of eunuchs was in the context of the question asked of Him about whether it is good to marry.

Because Jesus says that some eunuchs are “born that way from their mother’s womb,” some gay Christian groups argue that He was referring to homosexuals. Others disagree, arguing that the Bible’s use of the word “eunuch” refers only to those incapable of sexual intercourse through castration or birth defect, those who choose a life of celibacy and those who perform the work typical of eunuchs though they remain perfectly capable of having sex (and thus receive the title by association). The Bible never uses the words“homosexual” and “eunuch” interchangeably. Furthermore, eunuchs are never referred to in Scripture as being in sin, while homosexuality is universally condemned in both the Old and New Testaments.