Bible Commentaries
Mark 10

Verse 1

Mark 10:1

Mark records only one trip to Jerusalem, but there were others.

people resort unto him ...It seems impossible for Jesus to avoid the crowds.

he was wont ... "as his custom was"

Verse 2

Mark 10:2

tempting him ... to trap him. They were interested in putting pressure on Jesus, attempting to put him in a bad light before the people.

Two schools of thought:

1) Shammai = strict - divorce only for infidelity

2) Hillel = liberal - divorce for almost any cause

Verse 3

Mark 10:3

// Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9; cf cf 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

What did Moses ... "What does the Bible say?" Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Verse 4

Mark 10:4

cf 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

Verse 12

Mark 10:12

Mark seems writes primarily for Roman readers. Jewish law did not provide for a wife to divorce her husband.

Verse 14

Mark 10:14

displeased ... only time this Greek word occurs in the NT; it indicates anger.

Verse 16

Mark 10:16

took them up ... "folded them" in his arms. The Greek tense indicates repeated action continuing. Present Ptc. cf Mark 9:36

blessed ... again and again - that is, each one individually. see EGT.

Verse 17

Mark 10:17

See Topic Note, "Sermons_Gann" for sermon

Life’s Greatest Choice

Matthew 19:16; Mark 10:17-24; Luke 18:18

We generally call him "the rich young ruler" though he is never called that in any one passage. This stands as example how we need to consult all the scripture passages about a subject.

Matthew 19:20 = young

Luke 18:18 = certain ruler

Matt & Mark = great possession

Luke = very rich

Mark 10:21 Jesus loved him

Verse 21

Mark 10:21

one thing lackest ... cf Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 10:42

Verse 43

Mark 10:43

Serving Others - Matthew 20:26; Matthew 23:11 Mark 10:43

Luke 22:26-27 Philippians 2:4 1 Corinthians 10:24

Verse 45

Mark 10:45

Mark’s Theme: From Mark 10:45 we can easily determine Mark’s object in writing his gospel account, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Verse 46

Mark 10:46

See Topic Notes "Sermons_Gann" for sermon on

The Day Jesus Stood Still

Mark 10:46-52

Suggested Invitation Song: “Jesus is Calling”

Introduction:

1. Jesus did many miracles (John 20:29-31) why are these particular ones recorded?

a. Probably because they have some especially good things to teach us.

b. Bartimaeus’s name is preserved by Mark and it may be that he was known to many in the early church.

V. 46

A. Bartimaeus - blind and poor.

1. Poor probably because he was blind. He begged.

2. He was son-of-Timaeus. Timaeus probably means “blind.”

3. Hence, he was the blind son of a blind father.

V. 47

A. Jesus passes by. (cf. Luke 18:37 )

1. Probably had friends who had told him of Jesus.

2. Before hearing of Jesus, he probably resigned to live his life blind.

3. When he learned about the great Doctor, he must have forever had dreams and deep longing, though never anticipating in reality of meeting the man of God.

B. Jesus passes our way too.

1. He came to seek the lost. Luke 19:10

2. We must cry out to Him, just as Bartimaeus did.

3. He is near to us. His presence is close, Rev. 3:20; Acts 17:27.

4. We get recognition from Jesus when we recognize Him as God’s Son.

V. 48

A. Christ was there in Jericho.

1. He still comes within reach of men today, but men must inquire of Him.

B. The crowd rebuked Bartimaeus for crying out.

1. Maybe because Jesus was teaching and Bartimaeus was interrupting.

C. A LESSON: The one who desires to serve God must overcome earthly shame and fear.

1. Not many of us call out to Jesus today, even in the privacy of our closets.

V. 49

A. This happened while Jesus was “going up to Jerusalem.”

1. He was on an important mission. He had an appointment in Jerusalem. He hastened to taste the cup of bitterness, and to bear his people’s sins in his body on the cross.

2. [ See The Speaker’ Bible, Mark II, p. 51; and Pulpit Commentary on this passage. ]

3. Jesus had time to stop for one who needed him.

4. We are not too insignificant for Jesus to stop and hear our cry.

5. As we go on our way - we should take time to help others and listen to them as Jesus did.

B. Jesus stood still.

1. The waves stood still; The Jordan waters; the sun and moon stood still, and now Jesus stands still.

2. Jesus has time for his own. A very encouraging verse.

C. “He calleth thee.” He calls us too.

1. Suppose he had not come for the Gentiles also!

2. 2 Thess. 2:14.

3. The song: “Jesus is Calling”

D. The way was cleared, Bartimaeus rose and went to Jesus’ voice calling.

1. Think of the change that will occur to this man’s life by coming to Jesus.

2. Poem: “When I Met The Master Face to Face.”

a. This poem perhaps refers to Matthew’s meeting with Jesus.

V. 50

A. “Rose up” – Literally in the Greek, “sprang to his feet.”

B. Cast away his garment.

1. We must cast off our love for sin. “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doeth -- . “ Heb. 12:1.

2. He came to Jesus. A picture of repentance.

3. The outer garment was cast aside. To keep from snaring something and slowing him down. Or tripping on it and falling. He did not want to be hindered. We are to cast off our love for this world. 1 John 2:15-17.

C. Jesus came part of the way to us, and now we must go part of the way to him.

1. He died and brought God’s grace.

2. We must appropriate that grace to our lives and make it mean something to us.

3. Let it bring salvation to us by obeying the savior.

4. There are two parts to salvation; God’s part and man’s part.

V. 51

A. A strange question from Jesus.

1. The Lord knew best what he could do, but wanted the blind man to make the confession of his need.

2. Matt. 6:8 - He knows what we have need of before we pray, but wants us to confess our dependence upon Him.

B. What could anyone do?

1. If anyone else has asked what he could do, the blind beggar would have asked for alms.

2. His temporal needs were for food, clothing, shelter, and to be helped across the street, etc.

3. Acts 3:3. The beggar asked alms of Peter and John.

C. In this we see something about how the Lord blesses.

1. The Lord will help us where we or no one else can help us.

He gave Bartimaeus sight.

2. Bartimaeus knew what best to ask the Lord.

a. Wish that we had that wisdom.

b. We can pray for it. James 1:5

3. With sight, Bartimaeus could get the other things he needed for himself.

a. He could now work for his food, clothing, and see his way across the street.

b. I believe that Bartimaeus was the kind of man to help others because he knew what it was to be poor and blind and lonely in the world, lost from smiles and joy.

c. The spiritual blind are in this category.

We should remember them once we have been made whole.

4. The Lord blesses us with what we need first.

a. So often we pray for the secondary things instead of the primary.

b. We pray for a larger contribution, when we should pray for the Lord to make us more cheerful givers and to have the right attitude about giving.

c. We pray for the church to grow when we should pray for wisdom so we can see the opportunities for growth already there.

d. We need to pray for faith and strength so we will do the work which will strengthen the church and make possible for it to grow as it should.

V. 52

A. He was made whole.

1. He became a new man. He was like a new creature – a new future awaited him.

2. The same is true with becoming a Christian - 2 Cor. 5:17.

B. He followed Jesus in the way.

1. He went down the road behind Jesus.

We should follow Jesus bearing our cross also.

2. He caused the people to praise God [ see Luke 18:43 ]

3. He was blind to Christ in the beginning, but after meeting Jesus, he could see the right way – and he followed Jesus in the way.

4. John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

LESSONS TO LEARN

From this passage we learn of the behavior of those who are in earnest about being saved.

1. They seize every opportunity that presents itself. Vs. 46, 47.

a. Jesus was not going to pass that way again. On his way to Jerusalem for the last time.

b. Imagine the tragedy if Bartimaeus had said, “I’ll wait til he passes this way next time!”

2. They are not easily discouraged. Vs. 48.

a. Discouragement, sarcasm; ridicule, from family and friends.

3. They seek for what Christ alone can do for them – v. 51.

4. They can expect a great change in their life. 2 Cor. 5:17.

5. They hasten to do what Jesus commands - (He “sprang to his feet” ) v. 50.

a. And he followed Jesus in the way. v. 52b.

– Windell Gann

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

BARTIMAEUS

Mark 10:46-62

Introduction:

1. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for the last time.

2. He often taught as he walk along. A crowd of disciples and town-people around him.

V.46

1. Bar-Timaeus-- blind son of a blind father

2. Poor beggar. All his life known only darkness and poverty. Before Jesus came his he must have resigned himself to a life of darkness..

3. Mat 13:13-16 None are so blind as those willfully so.

V.47

1. He must have had a friend who told him about Jesus.

2. Jesus passes our way too. He comes to those who need him.

He came to seek the lost. Lk.19:10; Rev.3:20

V.48

1. Crowd rebuked Bartimaeus. His cry was probably interrupting Jesus’ teaching. They probaby said, “hush, we want to hear the teacher!” One who desires to serve God must overcome earthly shame and fear.

2. He cried to Jesus. Many don’t cry out in prayer today. Don’t realize need for mercy.

3. He was not one to let the opportunity pass.

V.49

1. This happens as Jesus is going up to Jerusalem on his last trip. Jesus was here on an important mission. He had the sins and cares of the world on his shoulders.

2. But Jesus "stood still," He took time to stop. This encourages me that Jesus has time for me.

3. Lesson: as we go on our way we need to take time and stop and help others along the way..

4. Jesus commanded him to be called. Jesus uses "others" to call men to Him.

5. We can see in our mind a “hall-way” of people.

6. "He calleth thee"

Reminds us of the song: "Jesus is Calling"

7. Why didn’t Jesus come the rest way to him? It illustrates a divine principle. Two parts to salvation; God’s & man’s.

V.50

1. "Rose up" Lit. he sprang to feet. He hastened to do as Jesus commanded.

2. "Cast away his outter garment" Why? Wanted nothing to hinder him from running to Jesus. (A picture of Repentance) Heb.12:1; 1 John 2:15-17.

a. We too must lay aside what would hinder us from running to the Lord.

V.51

1. A strange question. Lord knows best our needs. Mt.6:8

2. We see the wisdom of Bartimaaeus. What could anyone else do? Acts 3:3 beggar asked Peter and John for alms.

3. Bartimaeus now can see how to work and do things for himself.

V.52

1. We see how the Lord blesses.

2. He was made whole. 2Cor.5:17 A new creature. A picture of conversion. A new man.

3. He followed Jesus in the way. Disciples now must continue following Jesus.

Lk.18:43 caused people to praise God

Jo.10:27 sheep hear...follow me.

Conclusion: Lesson Learned: about those who want to be saved.

1. They sieze the opportunity. v.46,47 (Jesus would not pass this way again!)

2. They are not easily discouraged v.48

3. They can expect a great change in their lives. 2 Cor.5:17

4. They hasten to do what Jesus commands. V.50,52

Illustration:

1. Holman Hunt’s picture of Jesus as the "Light of the World" (Standing at door knocking)

2. King George & Mary on vacation near beach - Nathaniel Ellis farmer. “I almost didn’t let him in!”

Verse 47

Mark 10:47

V.47

1. He must have had a friend who told him about Jesus.

2. Jesus passes our way too. He comes to those who need him.

He came to seek the lost. Luke 19:10; Revelation 3:20

Verse 48

Mark 10:48

V.48

1. Crowd rebuked Bartimaeus. His cry was probably interrupting Jesus’ teaching. They probaby said, “hush, we want to hear the teacher!” One who desires to serve God must overcome earthly shame and fear.

2. He cried to Jesus. Many don’t cry out in prayer today. Don’t realize need for mercy.

3. He was not one to let the opportunity pass.

Verse 49

Mark 10:49

V.49

1. This happens as Jesus is going up to Jerusalem on his last trip. Jesus was here on an important mission. He had the sins and cares of the world on his shoulders.

2. But Jesus "stood still," He took time to stop. This encourages me that Jesus has time for me.

3. Lesson: as we go on our way we need to take time and stop and help others along the way..

4. Jesus commanded him to be called. Jesus uses "others" to call men to Him.

5. We can see in our mind a “hall-way” of people.

6. "He calleth thee"

Reminds us of the song: "Jesus is Calling"

7. Why didn’t Jesus come the rest way to him? It illustrates a divine principle. Two parts to salvation; God’s & man’s.

Verse 50

Mark 10:50

V.50

1. "Rose up" Lit. he sprang to feet. He hastened to do as Jesus commanded.

2. "Cast away his outter garment" Why? Wanted nothing to hinder him from running to Jesus. (A picture of Repentance) Hebrews 12:1; 1 John 2:15-17.

a. We too must lay aside what would hinder us from running to the Lord.

Verse 51

Mark 10:51

V.51

1. A strange question. Lord knows best our needs. Matthew 6:8

2. We see the wisdom of Bartimaaeus. What could anyone else do? Acts 3:3 beggar asked Peter and John for alms.

3. Bartimaeus now can see how to work and do things for himself.

Verse 52

Mark 10:52

V.52

1. We see how the Lord blesses.

2. He was made whole. 2 Corinthians 5:17 A new creature. A picture of conversion. A new man.

3. He followed Jesus in the way. Disciples now must continue following Jesus.

Luke 18:43 caused people to praise God

John 1:1 sheep hear...follow me.

Conclusion: Lesson Learned: about those who want to be saved.

1. They sieze the opportunity. v.46,47 (Jesus would not pass this way again!)

2. They are not easily discouraged v.48

3. They can expect a great change in their lives. 2 2 Corinthians 5:17

4. They hasten to do what Jesus commands. V.50,52

Illustration:

1. Holman Hunt’s picture of Jesus as the "Light of the World" (Standing at door knocking)

2. King George & Mary on vacation near beach - Nathaniel Ellis farmer. “I almost didn’t let him in!”