I just ran into an interesting thought in a new book on theology. Megan DeFranza argues that the ordering of verses in the Book of Matthew should be taken as part of their meaning. She argues first that the second two types of eunuchs enumerated in Matthew 19:12 are about real eunuchs who have been surgically castrated. She then discusses how eunuchs in the ancient world were castrated before puberty and that they were considered to be frozen into a child-like status that was not quite boylike and not like a mature man or woman. She then considers that Matthew 19:14 may be taken as a reference back to eunuchs; that the Kingdom of Heaven will be inherited by those who are "childlike," e.g., eunuchs.

DeFranza then points out that only a few chapters later, in Matthew 22:30, Jesus states that those in Heaven will not marry, but be like the angels. Angels were/are perceived as sexless beings with attributes that are usually associated with adult eunuchs. In the later Byzantine Empire there were many instances of comparison between court eunuchs and the angels of Heaven, including many stories of one being confused for the other. (I have interviewed the fresco painter currently working at our local Orthodox cathedral. He is quite clear that the standard depictions of angels and archangels that he has produced are based on Byzantine court eunuchs. He is currently working on a depiction of the prophet Daniel and is painting him as an adult eunuch.)

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DeFranza, Megan K. (2015). Virtuous eunuchs: Troubling conservative and queer readings of intersex and the Bible. IN: Intersex, Theology, and the Bible (ed. by Susannah Cornwall). New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 55-78.

(For those not aware of Biblical conventions, red letters are to be taken as direct quotations of Jesus.)

King James Version:

Matthew 19

[12] For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

[13] Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

[14] But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

[15] And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Matthew 22

[30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.