101 And having risen thence, he doth come to the coasts of Judea, through the other side of the Jordan, and again do multitudes come together unto him, and, as he had been accustomed, again he was teaching them. 2 And the Pharisees, having come near, questioned him, if it is lawful for a husband to put away a wife, tempting him, 3 and he answering said to them, 'What did Moses command you?' 4 and they said, 'Moses suffered to write a bill of divorce, and to put away.' 5 And Jesus answering said to them, 'For the stiffness of your heart he wrote you this command, 6 but from the beginning of the creation, a male and a female God did make them; 7 on this account shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, 8 and they shall be—the two—for one flesh; so that they are no more two, but one flesh; 9 what therefore God did join together, let not man put asunder.' 10 And in the house again his disciples of the same thing questioned him, 11 and he saith to them, 'Whoever may put away his wife, and may marry another, doth commit adultery against her; 12 and if a woman may put away her husband, and is married to another, she committeth adultery.'
13 And they were bringing to him children, that he might touch them, and the disciples were rebuking those bringing them, 14 and Jesus having seen, was much displeased, and he said to them, 'Suffer the children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God; 15 verily I say to you, whoever may not receive the reign of God, as a child—he may not enter into it;' 16 and having taken them in his arms, having put 'his' hands upon them, he was blessing them.
17 And as he is going forth into the way, one having run and having kneeled to him, was questioning him, 'Good teacher, what may I do, that life age-during I may inherit?' 18 And Jesus said to him, 'Why me dost thou call good? no one 'is' good except One—God; 19 the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit adultery, Thou mayest do no murder, Thou mayest not steal, Thou mayest not bear false witness, Thou mayest not defraud, Honour thy father and mother.' 20 And he answering said to him, 'Teacher, all these did I keep from my youth.' 21 And Jesus having looked upon him, did love him, and said to him, 'One thing thou dost lack; go away, whatever thou hast—sell, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, be following me, having taken up the cross.' 22 And he—gloomy at the word—went away sorrowing, for he was having many possessions. 23 And Jesus having looked round, saith to his disciples, 'How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the reign of God!' 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words, and Jesus again answering saith to them, 'Children, how hard is it to those trusting on the riches to enter into the reign of God! 25 It is easier for a camel through the eye of the needle to enter, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.' 26 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying unto themselves, 'And who is able to be saved?' 27 And Jesus, having looked upon them, saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 10:1-27
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.