Mark 10

1 Jesus left there and went into the territory of Judea along the other side of the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and he taught them as he usually did.

2 Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?"

3 Jesus answered them, "What command did Moses give you?"

4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her."

5 Jesus said to them, "He wrote this command for you because you're heartless.

6 But God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation.

7 That's why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife,

8 and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one.

9 Therefore, don't let anyone separate what God has joined together."

10 When they were in a house, the disciples asked him about this.

11 He answered them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery.

12 If a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

13 Some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.

14 When Jesus saw this, he became irritated. He told them, "Don't stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.

15 I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn't receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it."

16 Jesus put his arms around the children and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

17 As Jesus was coming out to the road, a man came running to him and knelt in front of him. He asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"

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

19 You know the commandments: Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. Never cheat. Honor your father and mother."

20 The man replied, "Teacher, I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a boy."

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. He told him, "You're still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!"

22 When the man heard that, he looked unhappy and went away sad, because he owned a lot of property.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!"

24 The disciples were stunned by his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

26 This amazed his disciples more than ever. They asked each other, "Who, then, can be saved?"

27 Jesus looked at them and said, "It's impossible for people [to save themselves], but it's not impossible for God to save them. Everything is possible for God."

28 Then Peter spoke up, "We've given up everything to follow you."

29 Jesus said, "I can guarantee this truth: Anyone who gave up his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and the Good News

30 will certainly receive a hundred times as much here in this life. They will certainly receive homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields, along with persecutions. But in the world to come they will receive eternal life.

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

32 Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking ahead of them. His disciples were shocked [that he was going to Jerusalem]. The others who followed were afraid. Once again he took the twelve apostles aside. He began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

33 "We're going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to foreigners.

34 They will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. But after three days he will come back to life."

35 James and John, sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus. They said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do us a favor."

36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked them.

37 They said to him, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

38 Jesus said, "You don't realize what you're asking. Can you drink the cup that I'm going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I'm going to receive?"

39 "We can," they told him. Jesus told them, "You will drink the cup that I'm going to drink. You will be baptized with the baptism that I'm going to receive.

40 But I don't have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people."

41 When the other ten apostles heard about it, they were irritated with James and John.

42 Jesus called the apostles and said, "You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people.

43 But that's not the way it's going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.

44 Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone.

45 It's the same way with the Son of Man. He didn't come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people."

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus, his disciples, and many people were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

47 When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth [was passing by], he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48 The people told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him!" They called the blind man and told him, "Cheer up! Get up! He's calling you."

50 The blind man threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "Teacher, I want to see again."

52 Jesus told him, "Go, your faith has made you well." At once he could see again, and he followed Jesus 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.