Critics argue that Jesus encouraged castration in this verse. In a worldview where the sacrifice of physical pleasure for a spiritual purpose is considered meaningless, this is a natural response. At the heart of this objection is a failure to recognize the spiritual nature of Christianity's call to sacrifice.

Does the verse indeed encourage castration? Hardly, even on the surface -- what is made is a statement of fact and observation: some are born this way; some have made themselves this way for men; some have made themselves that way for spiritual purposes, and those who can accept this, let them do so. It is not saying, "Go out and castrate yourself" or giving directions to the nearest medical facility. There is no opinion rendered either way.

Looking more deeply into the context, we see that this refers not exclusively to castration, but to celibacy as well. We know that the Jews were horrified by castration (cf. Josephus, Against Apion 2.270-1; though eunuchs were well-respected, and trusted, in some Ancient Near Eastern societies). Indeed, how could someone have been "castrated" from their mother's womb? And how would a response dealing with castration relate to a question as to whether or not it is better to marry (19:10), said in relation to putting away one's wife in verse 9 -- which is the "it" to receive that Jesus refers back to?

Some add that Origen, the church father, castrated himself in response to this verse when he took it literally, arguing that an omniscient deity should have known what Origen had in mind when he was inspired by Matthew 19:12. Assuming for the sake of argument that this story is true (it may have been invented by writers hostile to Origen), the implication again rests on the premise that what Origen did was a meaningless act. Christianity has consistently condemned self-mutilation, interpreting Christ's words as a call to spiritual celibacy and asceticism, not physical harm. Another source summed it up this way: "It was to remove any hint of scandal as he taught young women their catechism that Origen castrated himself, literally following Matthew 19:12. He later came to see his action as ill-advised and not to be taken as an example."

If the Kingdom of God is real, it calls for profound spiritual discipline. While skeptics may disagree, the principle of sacrificing for a higher spiritual purpose remains.