NIV
10:1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
10:2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife
10:3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.
10:4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
10:5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.
10:6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’
10:7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
10:8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
10:10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.
10:11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
10:12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
Mark 10:13-16 [see also Matt. 19:13-15; Lk. 18:15-17]
10:13 People [probably parents] were bringing [parents thought it important to have a distinguished rabbi to bless their children] little children [Gr. “paidia” could mean any child from infancy (cf. Lk. 18:15) up to twelve years old] to Jesus to have him touch [perhaps because they believed Jesus’ touch would convey a special blessing from God; Matthew adds, “and pray for them” (19:13)] them, but the disciples rebuked them [scolded the parents for interrupting Jesus].
Mark told of an occasion when people, probably parents, were bringing little children to Jesus. Parents have the primary responsibility for spiritual instruction in the home (see Deut. 6:6-9) and for bringing their children to Jesus.
One of the greatest experiences my wife and I have had in life is that of leading our children to place their faith in Jesus for salvation. The Greek word for “children” in this verse refers to children ranging in age from babies to preteens. It was customary for parents in Jesus’ day to bring their children to an elder or scribe so that he could touch them or bless them.
The disciples rebuked those who were bringing their children to Jesus. Perhaps they were trying to protect Jesus from what they thought was an annoyance or because they thought that the children were unworthy of His time and energy. How sad!
We should never hinder or prevent others from coming to Jesus, no matter how young or old. Instead, we have a responsibility to facilitate the process of bringing others to Jesus. We ought to demonstrate Paul’s attitude, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20b).
Note: How do you relate to children who are not your own or not your relatives? Do you ignore them or seek ways to affirm them?
10:14 When Jesus saw this [what the disciples were doing], he was indignant [Gr. “aganaktew” is used of Jesus only here in the Gospels and means “much grief”]. He [Jesus viewed children as significant persons (in the first-century, unwanted infants were killed or left alone to die and abortion was an accepted part of pagan society)] said [Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to teach a spiritual truth] to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them [“stop hindering them” or “never stop them”], for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these [does not mean that children are automatically in the kingdom of God; children are needy, helpless, and dependent on others; those seeking to enter God’s kingdom must have a childlike attitude (openness, humility, trust, acceptance)].
When Jesus saw what the disciples were doing, he was indignant. It was painful for Him to see the disciples turning away the little children. Jesus immediately stopped the disciples and called for the little children to come to Him. Rather than seeing children as a nuisance, Christ affirmed and valued them. Do not hinder them, He said.
There is perhaps no greater crime we can commit against others than to hinder them from coming to Jesus. We must never hinder others from coming to Jesus by either word or example. Jesus explained that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Jesus did not mean that heaven is reserved only for children, but rather that people need to approach God with the trust of a child.
Note: What barriers do parents often encounter in bringing their children to Jesus? In what ways are some parents guilty of keeping their own children away from Jesus?
10:15 I tell you the truth [these words introduce a solemn statement], anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God [the rule and reign of God in the lives of people] like a little child [with simple trust, joyfully, thankfully] will never enter it.”
Jesus explained that we must receive or welcome the kingdom of God with the trust, innocence, and humility of a child. Children do not approach God on the basis of their credentials, accomplishments, position, or power. Instead they approach Him with a simple, trusting attitude that demonstrates their dependence upon Him. God placed His wonderful gift of salvation on the lower shelf where it is within the reach of children and where the proud must bow down in order to obtain it.
10:16 And he took the children [each individual child] in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed [means “to call down blessings on” or “to bless greatly”] them.
In a gesture that must have warmed the hearts of those present, Jesus took or embraced the children in His arms. He tenderly put his hands on each of them and blessed them. All people, especially believers, should follow Christ’s example of showing care and concern for children, including the unborn. Like Jesus, may use our arms to embrace children and our hands to bless them—but never to harm them.
Note: What implications do these verses have for the abortion issue?
10:17 As Jesus started on his way [refers to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the cross (Mk. 11-16 records the last week of Jesus’ public ministry)], a man [rich (Mk. 10:22), young (Matt. 19:22), ruler (Lk. 18:18)] ran up to [eagerness, earnestness] him and fell on his knees [expression of sincerity; showed respect and honor for Jesus as a distinguished rabbi; man set aside his pride in order to kneel before Jesus] before him. “Good teacher,” he asked [man believed Jesus could answer his question], “what must I do [man believed goodness defined by human achievement and that salvation must be earned] to inherit eternal life? [life’s most important issue; cf. Jn. 17:3 re: Jesus’ definition of eternal life; man recognized that something was missing from his life – he did not have the assurance that he had eternal life]”
10:18 “Why do you call me good [Jesus was not denying His own goodness and deity; wanted to know if the man was trying to flatter Him or really understood that God is the source of goodness]?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
10:19 You know the commandments [cf. Ex. 20; Deut. 5; Jesus cited the last six commandments]: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud [to rob, to deprive, holding back wages of one hired], honor your father and mother.’”
10:20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy [indication of spiritual pride or ignorance; man sincerely felt he had obeyed outward demands of the law but had obviously not heard Jesus’ inward interpretation of some of the commandments (Matt. 5:21-48); perhaps he thought so because he was comparing himself with others].”
10:21 Jesus looked at [a penetrating gaze that saw all the way to the man’s heart; Jesus looked beyond the actualities; see 1 Sam. 16:7] him and loved him [only Mark’s Gospel indicates that Jesus loved him; notice that Jesus loved him before he obeyed; because Jesus loved him, He told the young man the truth]. “One thing you lack [the one thing he lacked was complete surrender to Christ],” he said. “Go, sell everything you have [Jesus prescribed a specific action for this man to address his misplaced trust] and [the great exchange; an invitation too exchange something good for something infinitely better] give to the poor [the man was trusting in his possessions as his basis for securing eternal life; the man’s riches were a barrier between himself and God; wealth occupied the place in his life that belonged to God (violation of first commandment); giving to the poor would break his dependence on wealth and demonstrate genuine repentance], and you will have treasure in heaven [Jesus asked the man to exchange one treasure for another]. Then come [a personal invitation; the goal was never simply getting rid of possessions but about coming to Christ], follow [as a disciple] me [an invitation into daily fellowship with Jesus].”
10:22 At this [the man faced the most important decision of his life] the man’s face fell [to become gloomy]. He went away sad [grieving and sorrowful], because he had great wealth [his gold remained his god; his possessions possessed him].
10:23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples [Jesus took advantage of this teachable moment], “How hard [because wealth breeds self-sufficiency] it is for the rich [word often means things or possessions: property, wealth, means] to enter the kingdom of God [the rule and reign of God in the heart of an individual]!”
Note: Other rich men who missed eternal life…
• man preoccupied with wealth Lk. 12:16-21
• man indifferent to God & needy Lk. 16:19-31
10:24 The disciples were amazed [perhaps because many viewed wealth as a sign of God’s favor] at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
10:25 [exaggerated illustration to make a point (hyperbole)] It is easier for a camel [the largest animal known to those who heard Jesus’ words] to go through the eye of a needle [Luke used word for surgical needle in Lk. 18:25] than for a rich man [perhaps because material wealth can make people blind to their spiritual needs] to enter the kingdom of God.”
10:26 The disciples were even more amazed [to be overwhelmed], and said to each other, “Who then can be saved [to rescue from a deadly plight]?”
10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this [refers to entering the kingdom] is impossible [human achievement cannot qualify anyone for eternal life], but not with God; all things are possible with God [salvation is a divine accomplishment].”
10:28 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you [implication is that they had done what the rich, young ruler had refused to do]!”
Note: The cost of following Christ…
• Peter & Andrew left fishing business
• James & John left fishing business / father
• Matthew left job as tax collector
10:29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, [1: there will be rewards for following Jesus] “no one who has left [note precious things listed, a reminder that it costs to follow Jesus] home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
10:30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much [not a promise of material riches; some rewards may be material in nature, but greater rewards are spiritual] in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them [rewards], persecutions [2: there will be persecutions for following Jesus]) and in the age to come, eternal life [the greatest possession].
10:31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
10:32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.
10:33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles,
10:34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
10:36“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
10:37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
10:38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
10:39“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
10:40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
10:42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
10:43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
10:44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.
10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
10:48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
10:49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
10:50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
10:51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.