Mark 10

1 Then Yeshua left that place and went into the regions of Y'hudah and the territory beyond the Yarden. Again crowds gathered around him; and again, as usual, he taught them.

2 Some P'rushim came up and tried to trap him by asking him, "Does the Torah permit a man to divorce his wife?"

3 He replied, "What did Moshe command you?"

4 They said, "Moshe allowed a man to hand his wife a get and divorce her."

5 But Yeshua said to them, "He wrote this commandment for you because of your hardheartedness.

6 However, at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

7 For this reason, a man should leave his father and mother and be united with his wife,

8 and the two are to become one flesh. Thus they are no longer two, but one.

9 So then, no one should break apart what God has joined together."

10 When they were indoors once more, the talmidim asked him about this.

11 He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife;

12 and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she too commits adultery."

13 People were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, but the talmidim rebuked those people.

14 However, when Yeshua saw it, he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me, don't stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

15 Yes! I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it!"

16 And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and made a b'rakhah over them.

17 As he was starting on his way, a man ran up, kneeled down in front of him and asked, "Good rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?"

18 Yeshua said to him, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God!

19 You know the mitzvot -- `Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't give false testimony, don't defraud, honor your father and mother, . .'"

20 "Rabbi," he said, "I have kept all these since I was a boy."

21 Yeshua, looking at him, felt love for him and said to him, "You're missing one thing. Go, sell whatever you own, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!"

22 Shocked by this word, he went away sad; because he was a wealthy man.

23 Yeshua looked around and said to his talmidim, "How hard it is going to be for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!"

24 The talmidim were astounded at these words; but Yeshua said to them again, "My friends, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!

25 It's easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

26 They were utterly amazed and said to him, "Then who can be saved?"

27 Yeshua looked at them and said, "Humanly, it is impossible, but not with God; with God, every thing is possible."

28 Kefa began saying to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

29 Yeshua said, "Yes! I tell you that there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

30 who will not receive a hundred times over, now, in the `olam hazeh, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands -- with persecutions! -- and in the `olam haba, eternal life.

31 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first!"

32 They were on the road going up to Yerushalayim. Yeshua was walking ahead of them, and they were amazed -- and those following were afraid. So again taking the Twelve along with him, he began telling them what was about to happen to him.

33 "We are now going up to Yerushalayim, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers. They will sentence him to death and turn him over to the Goyim,

34 who will jeer at him, spit on him, beat him and kill him; but after three days, he will rise."

35 Ya`akov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai, came up to him and said, "Rabbi, we would like you to do us a favor."

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

37 They replied, "When you are in your glory, let us sit with you, one on your right and the other on your left."

38 But Yeshua answered, "You don't know what you're asking! Can you drink the cup that I am drinking? or be immersed with the immersion that I must undergo?"

39 They said to him, "We can." Yeshua replied, "The cup that I am drinking, you will drink; and the immersion I am being immersed with, you will undergo.

40 But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

41 When the other ten heard about this, they became outraged at Ya`akov and Yochanan.

42 But Yeshua called them to him and said to them, "You know that among the Goyim, those who are supposed to rule them become tyrants, and their superiors become dictators.

43 But among you, it must not be like that! On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must be your servant;

44 and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone's slave!

45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve -- and to give his life as a ransom for many."

46 They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road.

47 When he heard that it was Yeshua from Natzeret, he started shouting, "Yeshua! Son of David! Have pity on me!"

48 Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, "Son of David! Have pity on me!"

49 Yeshua stopped and said, "Call him over!" They called to the blind man, "Courage! Get up! He's calling for you!"

50 Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua.

51 "What do you want me to do for you?" asked Yeshua. The blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me be able to see again."

52 Yeshua said to him, "Go! Your trust has healed you." Instantly he received his sight and followed him on the road.

Mark 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

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)

Verses 1-12 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.

Verses 13-16 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.

Verses 17-22 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, ( Psalms 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 ( Matthew 6:24 ) , Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Verses 23-31 Christ took this occasion to speak to his disciples about the difficulty of the salvation of those who have abundance of this world. Those who thus eagerly seek the wealth of the world, will never rightly prize Christ and his grace. Also, as to the greatness of the salvation of those who have but little of this world, and leave it for Christ. The greatest trial of a good man's constancy is, when love to Jesus calls him to give up love to friends and relatives. Even when gainers by Christ, let them still expect to suffer for him, till they reach heaven. Let us learn contentment in a low state, and to watch against the love of riches in a high one. Let us pray to be enabled to part with all, if required, in Christ's service, and to use all we are allowed to keep in his service.

Verses 32-45 Christ's going on with his undertaking for the salvation of mankind, was, is, and will be, the wonder of all his disciples. Worldly honour is a glittering thing, with which the eyes of Christ's own disciples have many times been dazzled. Our care must be, that we may have wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with him; and we may trust him to provide what the degrees of our glory shall be. Christ shows them that dominion was generally abused in the world. If Jesus would gratify all our desires, it would soon appear that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of his cup, or to have his baptism; and should often be ruined by having our prayers answered. But he loves us, and will only give his people what is good for them.

Verses 46-52 Bartimeus had heard of Jesus and his miracles, and learning that he was passing by, hoped to recover his eyesight. In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah. The gracious calls Christ gives us to come to him, encourage our hope, that if we come to him we shall have what we come for. Those who would come to Jesus, must cast away the garment of their own sufficiency, must free themselves from every weight, and the sin that, like long garments, most easily besets them, ( Hebrews 12:1 ) . He begged that his eyes might be opened. It is very desirable to be able to earn our bread; and where God has given men limbs and senses, it is a shame, by foolishness and slothfulness, to make themselves, in effect, blind and lame. His eyes were opened. Thy faith has made thee whole: faith in Christ as the Son of David, and in his pity and power; not thy repeated words, but thy faith; Christ setting thy faith to work. Let sinners be exhorted to imitate blind Bartimeus. Where the gospel is preached, or the written words of truth circulated, Jesus is passing by, and this is the opportunity. It is not enough to come to Christ for spiritual healing, but, when we are healed, we must continue to follow him; that we may honour him, and receive instruction from him. Those who have spiritual eyesight, see that beauty in Christ which will draw them to run after him.