1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.
2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him.
3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away.
5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same [matter].
11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought [them].
14 But when Jesus saw [it], he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first.
32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
33 [Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.
41 And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much displeased with James and John.
42 But Jesus called them [to him], and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Overview of Mark Chapter 10
Mark Chapter 10 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Mark, containing several significant teachings and events in the ministry of Jesus. This chapter addresses themes of marriage, wealth, humility, and the nature of faith. It also includes the account of Jesus blessing children and the rich young ruler, highlighting the challenges of discipleship.
Key Themes
- Marriage and Divorce
Jesus teaches about the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of divorce, emphasizing that what God has joined together should not be separated.
- Childlike Faith
Jesus’ interaction with children illustrates the importance of humility and the necessity of approaching God with a childlike faith.
- Wealth and Discipleship
The story of the rich young ruler serves as a warning about the dangers of wealth and the commitment required to follow Jesus.
- Servanthood
Jesus redefines greatness in the kingdom of God, teaching that true greatness comes from serving others.
Detailed Analysis
1. Teaching on Divorce (Mark 10:1-12)
In this passage, Jesus is approached by the Pharisees who question Him about the legality of divorce. His response underscores the original intention of marriage as a lifelong union.
- Jesus’ Reference to Creation: Jesus cites Genesis, reinforcing that marriage is divinely instituted.
- Hardness of Heart: He acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people’s hearts, but emphasizes that this was not God’s original design.
- Adultery and Remarriage: Jesus states that remarriage after divorce constitutes adultery, highlighting the seriousness of breaking marital vows.
2. Jesus Blesses Children (Mark 10:13-16)
In this passage, people bring children to Jesus for blessing, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus responds by welcoming the children and teaching that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Value of Children: Jesus emphasizes the importance of children, indicating that their innocence and dependence exemplify the qualities needed to enter the kingdom.
- Childlike Faith: The passage serves as a metaphor for the faith required of all believers—trusting and open to God’s grace.
3. The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-27)
This narrative involves a young man who approaches Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus challenges him to sell all he has and give to the poor, revealing the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual over material wealth.
- Question of Eternal Life: The young man’s inquiry reflects a common concern about salvation and the requirements for eternal life.
- Jesus’ Challenge: By instructing him to sell his possessions, Jesus exposes the man’s attachment to wealth.
- Disciples’ Reaction: The disciples are astonished by Jesus’ statement that it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom, prompting discussions about who can be saved.
4. Teaching on Discipleship (Mark 10:28-31)
After the encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter speaks up about the sacrifices the disciples have made to follow Jesus.
- Promise of Reward: Jesus reassures Peter that those who leave everything for His sake will receive a hundredfold in this life and eternal life in the age to come.
- Reversal of Values: Jesus emphasizes that many who are first will be last, and the last first, challenging societal norms regarding status and success.
5. Prediction of Jesus’ Death (Mark 10:32-34)
As Jesus and His disciples journey to Jerusalem, He predicts His impending suffering and death, highlighting His role as the suffering servant.
- Foretelling Suffering: Jesus clearly outlines the events that will lead to His crucifixion, demonstrating His awareness of His mission.
- Disciples’ Understanding: Despite His clarity, the disciples struggle to comprehend the nature of His kingdom and the necessity of His suffering.
6. Request of James and John (Mark 10:35-45)
James and John request positions of honor in Jesus’ glory, prompting a teaching moment about true greatness in the kingdom of God.
- Desire for Authority: The brothers’ request reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission and the nature of His kingdom.
- Servanthood as Greatness: Jesus teaches that greatness comes from serving others, contrasting worldly views of power and authority.
7. Healing of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)
The chapter concludes with the healing of blind Bartimaeus, illustrating faith and persistence in seeking Jesus.
- Faith in Action: Bartimaeus’ cry for help demonstrates his faith and determination to receive healing.
- Response of Jesus: Jesus acknowledges Bartimaeus’ faith and restores his sight, emphasizing the transformative power of faith.
Conclusion
Mark Chapter 10 encapsulates critical teachings of Jesus regarding relationships, wealth, and the nature of faith. It challenges readers to reflect on their priorities and the essence of true discipleship. The chapter serves as a guide for understanding the values of the kingdom of God and the call to serve others selflessly.
