Mark 10
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1He 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. 2Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” 5But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. 6But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. 7For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 10In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. 11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. 12If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. 14But 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. 15Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” 16He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17As 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?” 18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19You 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.’” 20He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” 21Jesus 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.” 22But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” 24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” 28Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.” 29Jesus 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, 30but 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. 31But many who are first will be last; and the last first.” 32They 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. 34They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” 35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” 36He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.” 38But 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?” 39They 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; 40but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.” 41When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. 42Jesus 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. 43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. 45For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 46They 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. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."”
Mark 10:45
Summary
In Mark 10, Jesus travels to Judea and teaches the crowds about various issues. He begins by addressing the Pharisees' questions about divorce, emphasizing God's original design for marriage and the hardness of human hearts. Next, Jesus blesses the little children, highlighting the importance of receiving the kingdom of God with childlike faith. A rich young man approaches Jesus to inquire about eternal life; Jesus challenges him to sell all his possessions and follow Him, revealing the difficulty of entering the kingdom for those who are attached to wealth. The chapter continues with Jesus predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time, emphasizing His role as a servant leader. James and John request positions of power, prompting Jesus to teach about the nature of true greatness as servanthood. The chapter concludes with the healing of blind Bartimaeus, illustrating faith and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.
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Chapter outline
How Mark 10 unfolds
Mark 10:1–12 Teaching on Divorce and Marriage
Jesus discusses divorce with the Pharisees, emphasizing God's design for marriage as a lifelong union. He explains that Moses' allowance for divorce was a concession due to human hardness of heart, reaffirming the sanctity of marriage.
Mark 10:13–16 Jesus Blesses Little Children
People bring children to Jesus for blessings, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus, indignant, insists on welcoming the children, teaching that the kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike faith.
Mark 10:17–27 The Rich Young Ruler
A rich man asks Jesus about eternal life, claiming to have followed the commandments. Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing the challenge of wealth in entering God's kingdom.
Mark 10:28–31 Rewards for Sacrifice
Peter notes that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them that anyone who sacrifices for Him will receive much more in this life and eternal life in the age to come.
Mark 10:32–45 Prediction of Suffering
As they travel to Jerusalem, Jesus predicts His suffering and death. He explains that He will be a servant to many, contrasting worldly greatness with the servant leadership He embodies.
Mark 10:46–52 Healing of Bartimaeus
Blind Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus heals him, emphasizing that faith plays a crucial role in receiving healing and restoration, and Bartimaeus follows Him afterward.
Key verses
Mark 10:45Mark 10:45 encapsulates the chapter's message about Jesus' mission to serve and sacrifice for humanity.
Main themes in Mark 10
Marriage and Divorce
The theme of marriage and divorce is prominently addressed in verses 2-12, where Jesus responds to the Pharisees' inquiry about the legality of divorce. Jesus underscores that marriage is established by God as a sacred and unbreakable union, highlighting the divergence between human interpretations and divine intentions. This teaching not only reinforces the sanctity of marriage but also serves to illustrate the depth of commitment that Jesus expects from his disciples in their spiritual lives.
Childlike Faith
This theme emerges in verses 13-16, where Jesus insists that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like children. He rebukes the disciples for hindering the little ones, highlighting that childlike humility and trust are essential for entering the kingdom. This teaching underscores the necessity of approaching God with innocence and openness.
Wealth and Discipleship
Verses 17-27 explore the difficulty of entering God's kingdom for those attached to wealth, as seen in the interaction with the rich young ruler. Jesus challenges the idea that riches equate to righteousness, highlighting how trust in possessions can hinder spiritual commitment. This theme contributes to the chapter's focus on the total commitment required of disciples.
Servanthood and Sacrifice
This theme is prevalent in verses 32-45, where Jesus predicts His suffering and describes His mission as one of service, not domination. He teaches that true greatness comes from serving others, not seeking power. This theme is pivotal in understanding the nature of leadership and sacrifice in the kingdom of God.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Mark 10
- Matthew 19This passage echoes Mark's teaching on divorce, reinforcing the sanctity of marriage as a divine institution.
- Luke 18This text connects with Mark by illustrating Jesus' welcoming of children and emphasizing the need for childlike faith.
- Matthew 6This passage develops the theme of trust in God over material wealth, similar to Jesus' teaching in Mark on riches.
- Matthew 20This chapter connects with Mark's servant leadership theme, contrasting worldly authority with the call to serve.
- Luke 1This passage echoes the emphasis on humility and God's favor towards the lowly, paralleling the message about children.
- Matthew 18This text connects with the theme of childlike faith, presenting similar teachings about humility and the kingdom of God.
Study questions
Questions for studying Mark 10
- What does Jesus say about the nature of marriage in verses 6-9?
- How does Jesus respond to the disciples' rebuke of children in verse 14?
- What challenge does Jesus give to the rich young ruler in verse 21?
- What assurance does Jesus provide about rewards for sacrifice in verses 29-30?
- How does Jesus redefine greatness in verses 43-45?
- What does Bartimaeus' faith reveal about the nature of healing in verse 52?
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