Jesus went from there to the Judea region and the other side of the Jordan River. Again, crowds gathered to him, and as traditioned, he taught them. To test him, they asked him if a man was allowed to divorce his wife.
Jesus answered, “What did Moses order you?
They said, “Moses allowed a divorce certificate to be written and her to be sent away.”
Jesus said, “This commandment was written because of your stubbornness, but from creation’s start, he made them male and female. Therefore, a man will leave his dad and mum and join his wife, and the two become one body, so they’re not two, but one body. Therefore, what God joined, people shouldn’t separate.”
Back inside the house, the disciples asked him about this.
Jesus said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is unfaithful to her. If a woman divorces her husband, marrying someone else, she commits adultery.”
The people brought children to him, so he could touch them, but the disciples told them off. Jesus saw, was upset and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t prevent them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people like this. I’m telling you, whoever doesn’t accept the kingdom of God like children won’t enter it.
And cradling them in his arms, he blessed them, placing his hands on them.
While he was leaving, someone ran up and knelt before him, asking, “Good teacher, what do I do to gain eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “Why call me good? No one is good except God. You know the commands, ‘Don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, respect your dad and mum.'”
The man said, “Teacher, I’ve kept all these from when I was young.”
Jesus looked at him, cared for him and said, “You’re missing something. Go and sell everything you have and give to the poor and have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”
The man was saddened at the message. He left sadly because he had many things.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “It’s hard for people who have money to go into God’s kingdom.”
The disciples were amazed at his message. But Jesus said again to them, “Kids, it is hard to enter God’s kingdom. It’s easier for a camel to get through the hole of a needle than a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
The disciples were still amazed. They asked, “Who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and replied, “It’s impossible with people, but not with God. For everything is possible with God.”
Peter started saying, “Look, we left everything and are following you.”
Jesus said, “I’m telling you, no one who left their house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land because of me and the good news will not receive a hundred times as much in this season of houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land with harassment and, in the time coming, everlasting life.
But many who come first will be last, and the last will be first.”
They went on the road to Jerusalem and Jesus walked ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, but those following were afraid.
Taking the twelve again, Jesus began telling them what was going to happen to him. “Look, we’re going to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be turned over to the chief priests and law experts, and sentenced to die, then given to the Gentiles. They’ll make fun of him, spit on him, beat and kill him, and after three days he’ll awake again.”
James and John, Zebedee’s sons, approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus replied.
They said, “Allow us to sit, one at your right and one at your left in your wonder.”
Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking for. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be immersed in the baptism in which I’m immersed?”
They said, “We can.” So Jesus replied, “You’ll drink the cup that I drink and immerse in the baptism in which I’m immersed, but sitting at my right or left is not for me to allow, but for whom it has been prepared.”
Hearing this, the ten began being angry with James and John.
Jesus gathered them and said, “Know that those considered to rule the Gentiles, dominate them. Their leaders reign over them. It’s not this way for you, but whoever wants to become important among you is your servant, and whoever wants to be best among you is everyone’s slave. Because even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served but to serve and give his life to pay for many.”
They then arrived in Jericho.
Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd when a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, sat next to the road.
He heard it was Jesus the Nazarene and began yelling, “Jesus, Son of David, be merciful!”
Many people told him off and to be quiet but he yelled louder, “Son of David, be merciful!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Bring him over.” The people retrieved the blind man, saying, “Have courage, arise, you’re being called for.”
So he took off his cloak, stood and went to Jesus.
Jesus asked him, “What do you wish I do for you?”
The blind man said, “Teacher, to see again.”
“Leave, your trust healed you,” Jesus said.
Immediately the man could see again and followed Jesus on the road.
Mark Chapter 10 Summary
Jesus teaches about marriage, wealth, and serving others on his journey. He begins by addressing the issue of divorce, emphasising the importance of marriage and the union created by God. He then welcomes children, illustrating the innocence and acceptance required to enter the kingdom of God. Next, a wealthy man asks Jesus about eternal life, and Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. The man leaves sadly, unable to get rid of his wealth. Jesus discusses the difficulty for the rich to enter God’s kingdom, yet nothing is impossible with God. Jesus promises his disciples rewards for their sacrifices, following a path of service, not seeking importance. He predicts his own suffering and death, and corrects the desire for importance among his disciples, calling them to serve rather than be served. Finally, Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus, highlighting faith’s power to restore and transform lives.
Mark Chapter 10 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- How does Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Mark Chapter 10 challenge the way we understand commitment in relationships?
Answer: Jesus’ teaching emphasises the importance of marriage, challenging us to view our relationships as lifelong commitments that should not be easily broken, reflecting the love and faithfulness we are called to have. - What does Jesus’ interaction with the children teach us about how we should approach the Kingdom of God?
Answer: Jesus’ welcome of the children suggests we should approach God’s Kingdom with a child-like attitude: open-hearted, trusting, and humble, recognising our need for God’s grace. - In the story of the rich man, what does Jesus suggest is necessary for one to gain eternal life?
Answer: Beyond following commandments, Jesus suggests that gaining eternal life involves a willingness to let go of worldly things and to follow Him wholeheartedly, indicating that spiritual wealth takes precedence over material wealth. - How does Jesus redefine greatness in the context of Christian living?
Answer: Greatness, according to Jesus, is service to others. It is not about ruling or having authority, but about humility and being willing to serve and put others before yourself, just as Jesus came to serve and not be served. - What does the healing of Bartimaeus teach us about faith and following God?
Answer: Bartimaeus’ healing shows that faith involves a trust that is vocal and leads to action. It reminds us that faith in Jesus has the power to transform our lives, and as his followers, we are called to follow Him actively.
Mark Chapter 10 Explained
Mark Chapter 10 offers teachings about Christian principles. It begins with a challenging teaching on marriage and divorce, where Jesus explains the original idea for marriage, which is that it is permanent. This is opposed to the cultural acceptance of divorce, highlighting the importance of commitment, reflecting God’s commitment to humanity.
When children are brought to Jesus, His disciples tells those off who are bringing them, but Jesus insists that the Kingdom of God belongs to these children. This illustrates the need for believers to have a faith like children, full of trust, to truly accept God’s Kingdom.
The story of the rich young man who approaches Jesus presents a lesson about the dangers of wealth. The man’s keeping to the commandments is not enough; his attachment to wealth is a barrier to following Jesus. Jesus explains how difficult it is for the riches to enter the kingdom of God, indicating the problem is not riches itself but the attachment to it that can lead to self-reliance.
Jesus also discusses the idea of rewards, not as a ‘prosperity gospel’, but as a reassurance that sacrifices for the Gospel’s sake will not go unnoticed by God. He discusses a radical reversal of status, where the first shall be last, and the last first.
The request of James and John to sit at Jesus’ right and left in glory reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission. They, like many, expect a kingdom of power and prestige, but Jesus corrects this by highlighting the importance of serving and sacrifice. Leadership in the Christian context is about serving others, a lesson that culminates in Jesus’ ultimate act of service: the sacrifice of His death.
The chapter concludes with the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar whose faith and persistence lead to his healing. This story not only displays Jesus’ care but also is an example of the power of faith. Bartimaeus’ immediate following of Jesus when he is healed illustrates the proper response to Jesus’ work in one’s life: full and wholehearted following.
In all, Mark Chapter 10 challenges believers to examine their priorities, have a humble and faithful life, and to follow Christ’s example of service, all while trusting in God’s power to do what seems impossible.
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Continue exploring Mark 10
If you’d like to read Mark 10 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Mark 10 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Mark 10 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Mark 10 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Mark in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark
Mark (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Mark (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 