Photo credit: “The Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch by the Deacon Philip”, by Lambert Sustris (between 1545 and 1550)
When discussing queer inclusion with Christians, a common refrain is that even if the so-called “clobber passages” in Scripture don’t condemn LGBTQ+ people, there are no positive examples of queer individuals in the Bible. This argument used to bother me for two reasons: first, its logic is flawed—there are many things the Bible doesn’t mention that we still consider good and holy. Second, I internalized the belief that there were no queer people in the Bible and that any attempt to identify biblical characters as LGBTQ+ was a stretch. This left me feeling disconnected, believing the Bible had nothing to say about people like me.
However, the more I studied the Bible and its historical context regarding sex and gender, the more convinced I became that the Bible does indeed have positive references to queer people. This understanding comes not from a desire to impose queerness onto the text, but from a recognition that it has always been there for those willing to see it. One of the clearest examples of queer people in the Bible is the enigmatic group known as eunuchs.
If you grew up in church, you’ve likely heard that eunuchs were people who had their genitals crushed or cut off as punishment. But this is only one definition. Eunuchs were also individuals who chose castration to devote themselves to God, males born with more “feminine” qualities, and those born intersex. Within these definitions, it’s evident that many eunuchs would today be recognized as part of the queer community.
The Hebrew Bible states that eunuchs are not permitted among God’s people (Deuteronomy 23:1) and are prohibited from becoming priests (Leviticus 21:20). They were seen as less-than-men in a patriarchal society that valued dominance. Men were expected to dominate in all aspects of life, and those who couldn’t were devalued.
If the Bible ended here, the exclusion of queer people would seem absolute. But it doesn’t. In Isaiah 56:4-6, we find a radical prophecy:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.”
This passage flips the script. Despite earlier prohibitions, God promises eunuchs who honor Him an esteemed place in His temple. This prophecy indicates an inclusive trajectory in God’s work, expanding from specific groups to include all people, including sexual and gender minorities.
In the New Testament, Jesus, a faithful Jewish man, continues this inclusive trajectory. In Matthew 19, after discussing divorce, Jesus acknowledges three types of eunuchs: those born that way, those made eunuchs by others, and those who choose celibacy for the kingdom of heaven. Jesus doesn’t condemn any of these eunuchs; instead, he acknowledges their existence and even encourages those who can accept his challenge to do so.
The New Testament writers believed they were witnessing the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. God’s Kingdom, manifested in Jesus, expanded to include foreigners (Acts 2, Acts 10) and eunuchs (Acts 8, where Philip baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch, traditionally known as Simeon).
Both Jewish and Christian traditions have always seen God’s eschatological vision as radically inclusive. Jesus and the Acts’ author show that eunuchs—ancient queer people—are not only welcomed but celebrated in God’s Kingdom. Nowhere does Scripture suggest that eunuchs must conform to traditional gender standards to be included. No, God’s intention has always been to welcome all people, including sexual and gender minorities, just as they are.
Isn’t it strange, then, that the modern church often reverses this scriptural trajectory? Instead of embracing diversity, we resist it, excluding those whom God’s Spirit seeks to draw in. Throughout Scripture, those who misunderstand God’s expansive work often resist it, but God’s Spirit always prevails (as the Book of Acts repeatedly shows).
During Pride month, I invite all Christians to reflect on the queer people in Scripture—eunuchs—and their special place in God’s inclusive Kingdom. If we strive to bring about God’s Kingdom on earth as in heaven, as Jesus commanded, we must open our churches and hearts to all people, allowing our lives and faith to be transformed by the diverse individuals God has created in His image. Our diversity best reflects God’s divinity.
