Mark 10:1-34
Jesus' Teaching on Divorce
101 Getting up, He went from there to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan ; crowds gathered around Him again , and, according to His custom , He once more began to teach them. 2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife . 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said , " Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY ." 5 But Jesus said to them, " Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment . 6 "But from the beginning of creation , God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE . 7 " FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER , 8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME e ONE FLESH ; so they are no longer two , but one flesh . 9 "What therefore God has joined together , let no man separate ." 10 In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again . 11 And He said to them, " Whoever e divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man , she is committing adultery ."
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these . 15 "Truly I say to you, whoever e does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
The Rich Young Ruler
17 As He was setting out on a journey , a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher , what shall I do to inherit eternal life ?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good ? No one is good except God alone . 19 "You know the commandments , ' DO NOT MURDER , DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY , DO NOT STEAL , DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS , Do not defraud , HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER .' " 20 And he said to Him, "Teacher , I have kept all these things from my youth up." 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack : go and sell all you possess and give to the poor , and you will have treasure in heaven ; and come , follow Me." 22 But at these words he was saddened , and he went away grieving , for he was one who owned much property . 23 And Jesus , looking around , said to His disciples , " How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God !" 24 The disciples were amazed at His words . But Jesus answered again and said to them, "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 man to enter the kingdom of God ." 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, "Then who can be saved ?" 27 Looking at them, Jesus said , " With people it is impossible , but not with God ; for all things are possible with God ." 28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold , we have left everything and followed You." 29 Jesus said , "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms , for My sake and for the gospel's sake , 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age , houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms , along with persecutions ; and in the age to come , eternal life . 31 "But many who are first will be last , and the last , first ."
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem , and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed , and those who followed were fearful . And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, "Behold , we are going up to Jerusalem , and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes ; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles . 34 "They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 10:1-34
Commentary on Mark 10:1-12
(Read Mark 10:1-12)
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.
Commentary on Mark 10:13-16
(Read Mark 10:13-16)
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.
Commentary on Mark 10:17-22
(Read Mark 10:17-22)
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, Matthew 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Commentary on Mark 10:23-31
(Read Mark 10:23-31)
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.
Commentary on Mark 10:32-45
(Read Mark 10:32-45)
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.