Mark Chapter Ten
Jesus Questioned About Divorce
[Text parallels Matthew 19:1-12]
10:1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
Having left the Galilee region, Jesus and His disciples headed south to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan (territory east of the Jordan River).[1] Crowds quickly gathered around Jesus and He began to teach them.
10:2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And 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 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
The Pharisees once again try to test Jesus, this time the subject is divorce. They ask whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus immediately refers to Scripture and asks, “What did Moses command you?” The Pharisees replied that Moses allowed the husband to write a certificate of divorce and then send her away. Jesus then reminds them that Moses allowed the compromise because their hearts were hardened, God Himself does not want anyone to divorce (see Malachi 2:16). Jesus then takes them back to Genesis, at the time of creation. He said that God made them male and female. He continues by quoting Genesis 2:24, “‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Jesus adds that since they are no longer two people but one, that whatever God has joined, no one is to separate.[2]
10:10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Later, in the house, the disciples privately ask Jesus for more teaching on divorce.[3] He told them that if anyone divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her. And if the wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. Since adultery is typically defined as having voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than a spouse, Jesus’ response would then be a reference to spiritual adultery, which could be defined as being any infidelity between them and God, in this case referring to the voluntary breaking of an oath.[4]
Let the Children Come
[Text parallels Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17]
10:13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
People were bringing children to Jesus so that He might touch them, but the disciples intervene and try to stop them. When Jesus saw what they were doing He became angry and told them to let the children come to Him. As the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children. Jesus points out that whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child, innocently trusting God, will not enter the kingdom. At that time Jesus hugged the children, laid His hands on them[5] and blessed them.
Difficult for a Rich Person to Enter the Kingdom
[Text parallels Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30]
10:17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must 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, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
As they continued their journey, a man ran up to Jesus and knelt in front of Him (Matthew identifies him as a young rich man, see Matthew 19:22-23). The man asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus first comments on the man’s use of the word ‘good’, asking him why he called Him good, saying, no one is good except God alone. Some believe that Jesus was acknowledging that the man knew who He was. Jesus asked the man if he knew the following commandments: that one should not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not testify falsely, not cheat anyone, and to honor their parents. The man responded, yes, and that he had kept each one from when he was young. Jesus, looking at him, loved him, for He knew the man’s heart but had one major barrier, he cherished his material belongings. Jesus told him to sell everything he owns and give the money to the poor so he will have treasure in heaven and then follow Him. Saddened and probably shocked by what Jesus said, he walked away, as he was not ready to give away his belongings, since he had a lot of possessions.
Jesus was not implying that by keeping just those six commandments or that believers are to sell everything they own to enter heaven. As there is nothing humans can do to inherit eternal life. That is still true today, Jesus did all the work, there is nothing more needed for salvation, except to accept the free gift. In this encounter with this man, Jesus knew that he revered his belongings more than God, he didn’t need to sell everything, but he had to reduce the importance of his possessions and make Jesus a priority.
10:23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult 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 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, 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 lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus tells His disciples that it is difficult for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were amazed and undoubtedly shocked by what they heard. Jesus continued using another exaggerated illustration,[6] saying that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were now totally astonished, as they were raised to believe that wealth was essential to gain entrance to the kingdom of God[7] (and would be an indicator of God’s blessing). So they asked the most important question, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus plainly answers, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Referring to His mission to provide salvation through His death and resurrection.[8] Peter immediately begins to interject, saying that they gave up everything to follow Him. Jesus quickly responded that everyone who had left family and property to follow Him for the sake of the gospel will now receive a hundred fold in return, but it will come along with persecution. Plus, they will receive a hundredfold later in the age to come, when eternity begins (in heaven where time no longer matters). Jesus then tells them, “But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (Verse 31, NLT) Jesus explains that God’s perspective of what makes a man great, is very different than how man evaluates greatness. Wealth is irreverent, only the heart is relevant. Pressing to be first will only result in being last. Those who are humble and willing to be last letting others in before them, will be first.
Jesus Foretells His Death for a Third Time
[Text parallels Matthew 20:17-19 and Luke 18:31-34]
10:32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
Continuing their journey going up to Jerusalem,[9] Mark records that Jesus was walking ahead of the disciples and the crowd. He also notes that the disciples were amazed, “filled with awe” (NLT) and those that followed were afraid. Mark’s description of this scene sets the stage for the remainder of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus knowingly and willingly is heading to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Mark has Him leading with great resolute. While the disciples still did not understand God’s plan for salvation, including Jesus’ role in that plan, they knew enough to to comprehend that Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to die. Seeing Jesus walking ahead of them with great determination amazed them. They could not understand why someone would willingly forfeit their life. We also see those that followed were afraid, they may have overheard that Jesus was going to be executed soon and perhaps did not want to be too close as to be identified as a follower and get involved with the proceedings, but yet they still followed. Undoubtedly driven by human curiosity.
Jesus, for the third and final time in Mark’s gospel, gathers the twelve disciples and tells them what is going to happen when they arrive in Jerusalem.[10] That He will be arrested and handed over to the chief priests[11] and scribes who will then condemn Him to death and be handed over to the Gentiles to execute Him.[12] Jesus noted that before He was to be killed, He would first be mocked, be spit on and then flogged. It is important to note that whenever Jesus spoke of His death, He also mentions the fact that He will also rise to life again, here plainly stated after three days, offering the disciples hope. Sadly, much of Jesus’ message about what He had to face was lost until after He died, as they slowly began to understand.
A Selfish Request of James and John
[Text parallels Matthew 20:20-28]
10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 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 records that James and John approached Jesus with this very self-centered request. Matthew states that it was their mother who approached Jesus, something a proud parent might try. It is interesting how they begin the inquiry, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Almost like they knew that what they’re about to ask is wrong. Today one might phrase the request, “Just do as we ask, no questions!” They ask Jesus that He grant one to sit on His right side and the other on His left side when He later sits on His throne in glory. Jesus tells them that they really don’t know what they are asking for. He then asks two seemingly unrelated questions (see below): 1) Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?; and 2) Are you able to be baptized with the same baptism that I was baptized? Even though they undoubtedly did not fully understanding the questions, they said that they were able. Then Jesus goes on to say that those positions of honor were not up to Him, and that those places were prepared for someone.
When the other ten disciple heard about what James and John requested, they became resentful towards them. Jesus then called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Verses 42-45, NLT)
Considerations
What About Those Two Questions?
Jesus asked James and John two questions that, as later revealed, could not affect or change the outcome, as the positions they asked for were not up to Jesus to decide nor were they available. So why the two questions? The first question, "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?," pertains to enduring something to the end. The second question, "Are they able to be baptized with the same baptism that He was baptized?," is often misunderstood, as He is not talking about a water baptism, but severe suffering and death. The apostle Paul would remind us, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4) Jesus was calling attention to the fact that they would be facing similar ordeals. John went on to be a leader in the church, be exiled on the island of Patmos due to his witnessing and wrote the gospel according to John, three epistles and the book of Revelation. His brother James was later killed by Herod (see Acts 12:1-3).
Jesus Heals a Blind Begger Named Bartimaeus
[Text parallels Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke 18:35-43]
10:46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Jesus and His disciples made it to Jericho, as they were leaving Jericho with a large crowd following, they came across Bartimaeus, a blind beggar. When he heard that Jesus was in town and nearby, Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!,” several times. He was soon rebuked and told to be silent. He may have been rebuked for calling Jesus the Son of David, identifying Him as the Messiah,[13] or perhaps he just too loud! The more he was told to be quiet, the louder he became. Hearing him, Jesus asked for him, when Bartimaeus found out Jesus was calling for him, he threw off his cloak, got up, and came to Jesus. When he arrived he was asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus responded that he wanted Jesus to recover his sight. Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”[14] Immediately his sight returned so he followed Jesus down the road towards Jerusalem. In Matthew’s account there were two blind men.[15]
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[1] See commentary under Matthew 3:4-6.
[2] See commentary under Matthew 19:3-9.
[3] See commentary under Matthew 5:31-32 regarding divorce.
[4] See commentary under Matthew 5:33-37.
[5] See commentary and Considerations under Matthew 19:13-15.
[6] See Mark 9:42-48 for the last use of hyperbole.
[7] See commentary under Matthew 19:23-26.
[8] Jesus will explain for the third time that He has to die in the following verses (see verses 32-34).
[9] See Considerations under Matthew 20:17-19 "Going Up."
[10] Both Matthew and Luke have an indirect reference to Jesus’ death when He spoke about the Sign of Jonah adding up to four times Jesus spoke about His death. Mark only records three.
[11] See Considerations under Matthew 26:3-5 "Chief Priest versus High Priest."
[12] The Jews no longer had authority to execute someone, they needed Roman approval. See Considerations under Matthew 20:17-19 "Capital Punishment by the Jews Revoked."
[13] See commentary under Matthew 1:1.
[14] See Considerations under Mark 5:35-43 titled, "Faith Made Her Well."
[15] See the commentary under Matthew 20:29-34 regarding the differences between the gospel accounts.