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Mark 10

Mark10

World English Bible · Public Domain

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1 He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them.

2 Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3 He answered, “What did Moses command you?”

4 They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.”

5 But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.

6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

7 For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,

8 and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

10 In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

12 If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

13 They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

15 Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

16 He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.

19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”

20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”

21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”

22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”

27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

28 Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”

29 Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,

30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.

33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.

34 They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”

36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

37 They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;

40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.

42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.

44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all.

45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

46 They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”

50 He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”

52 Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

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Mark 10

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 10. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The Pharisees' question concerning divorce. (1–12). Christ's love to little children. (13–16). Christ's discourse with the rich young man. (17–22). The hinderance of riches. (23–31). Christ foretells his sufferings. (32–45). Bartimeus healed. (46–52).

vv1-12

Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ's constant practice. He here shows that the reason why Moses' law allowed divorce, was such that they ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts. God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied, is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves, if God should deal with them in like manner.

vv13-16

Some parents or nurses brought little children to Christ, that he should touch them, in token of his blessing them. It does not appear that they needed bodily cures, nor were they capable of being taught: but those who had the care of them believed that Christ's blessing would do their souls good; therefore they brought them to him. Jesus ordered that they should be brought to him, and that nothing should be said or done to hinder it. Children should be directed to the Saviour as soon as they are able to understand his words. Also, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children; we must stand affected to Christ and his grace, as little children to their parents, nurses, and teachers.

vv17-22

This young ruler showed great earnestness. He asked what he should do now, that he might be happy for ever. Most ask for good to be had in this world; any good, Ps 4:6; he asks for good to be done in this world, in order to enjoy the greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this address by assisting his faith, and by directing his practice. But here is a sorrowful parting between Jesus and this young man. He asks Christ what he shall do more than he has done, to obtain eternal life; and Christ puts it to him, whether he has indeed that firm belief of, and that high value for eternal life which he seems to have. Is he willing to bear a present cross, in expectation of future crown? The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ upon easier terms; that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep hold of his worldly possessions too. He went away grieved. See Mt 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Cross References

Mark 10

The Mosaic precept permitting a bill of divorcement, which Jesus attributes to hardness of heart.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v7Genesis 2:24quotation

Jesus quotes this creation design of marriage to establish lifelong union against divorce.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v6Genesis 1:27quotation

Cited by Jesus to show God's original creation intent was binary and complementary.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Matthew 19:13-15thematic

Parallel account of disciples rebuking parents bringing young children to Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v17Luke 18:18-30thematic

Parallel account identifying the young man seeking eternal life as a ruler.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v35Matthew 20:20-28thematic

Parallel account specifying Salome, their mother, petitioned with James and John.

Supported by JFB

v46Luke 18:35-43thematic

Parallel account of the blind man healed as Jesus departed from Jericho.

Supported by JFB

v7Ephesians 5:31thematic

Paul applies Gen 2:24 to Christ and the church, echo of Jesus' words.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Luke 18:15thematic

Luke's parallel specifies they brought 'infants' for Jesus to touch.

Supported by JFB

v32Matthew 20:17-19thematic

Parallel account of Jesus taking the twelve aside to predict His death.

Supported by JFB

v38John 18:11thematic

Jesus refers to His upcoming suffering as a 'cup' to be drunk.

Supported by JFB

v45Isaiah 53:10-12fulfillment

Messianic prophecy of the Servant giving His life as a guilt offering for many.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v32Luke 9:51thematic

Jesus steadfastly sets His face to go to Jerusalem, leading with amazement.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v37Psalms 110:1thematic

The place of ultimate honor at the right hand, coveted by the disciples.

Supported by JFB

v39Acts 12:2fulfillment

James drinks the cup of suffering first by being martyred under Herod.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v42Luke 22:25thematic

Parallel warning against seeking Gentile-style autocratic lordship over others.

Supported by JFB

v50Hebrews 12:1thematic

Bartimaeus casting away his garment matches laying aside every weight to follow Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Old Testament precedent describing Israel's rebellion and stiffness of neck/heart.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Warning to the rich not to trust in uncertain riches, mirroring Jesus' words.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v34Isaiah 50:6fulfillment

Prophetic description of the Servant being struck and spit upon.

Supported by JFB