• The Castrati—Mutilation in the Name of Religion
    Awake!—1996 | February 8

    • Origen—best known for his Hexapla, versions of the Hebrew Scriptures arranged in six columns—was born about 185 C.E. By the age of 18, he was already well-known for his lectures on Christianity. Yet, he was concerned that his popularity among women should not be misconstrued. So, taking literally the words of Jesus, “there are eunuchs that have made themselves eunuchs on account of the kingdom of the heavens,” he castrated himself. (Matthew 19:12)a It was an immature, impulsive act—one he deeply regretted in later years.

  • The Castrati—Mutilation in the Name of Religion
    Awake!—1996 | February 8

    • a Regarding Jesus’ words, the footnote to the Roman Catholic Westminster Version of the Sacred Scriptures: The New Testament explains: “Not physically by carnal mutilation, but spiritually by purpose or vow.” Likewise, A Commentary on the New Testament, by John Trapp, states: “Not gelded themselves, as Origen and some others in the primitive times, by mistake of this text . . . but live single, that they may serve God with more freedom.”