Bible Commentaries
Mark 10

Verse 1

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

And as he was wont, he taught — Praedicationis officium suscipit quisquis ad sacerdotium accedit. (Greg. in Pastoral.) It was death for the high priest to enter the holy place, or to come abroad, without his bells and pomegranates. St Mark is much in setting forth Christ’s forwardness to teach.

Verse 2

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:3 "

Verse 3

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:7 " The Athenians and Romans had their divorces also. Their bill was only this, Res tuas tibi habeto, Take what is thine own, and be packing.

Verse 4

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

Moses suffered to write — Not commanded. There is a difference between a permission and a precept, properly so called. See Trapp on " Matthew 19:7 " Non statim probat Deus quod permittit, God approves not presently whatsoever he permits.

Verse 10

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter .

And in the house — This is one of those passages related by St Mark only.

Verse 11

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Whosoever shall put away his wife — Annon columnae Germanae, atque imprimis Lutheras, putidissime errarunt et turpissime se dederunt, cum illud sanctissimum scilicet consilium dederunt fortissimo illi et optimo Principi Philippo Landgravio, ut vivente adhuc priore legitima nimirum uxore, duceret alteram, hoc est adulteram? saith Zanchy: Luther and his fellow divines were shamefully out in licensing the Landgrave to put away his lawful wife, and marry another.

Verse 12

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And if a woman have put away — No such thing was permitted by Moses, but usurped by the women of those licentious times. Among Turks the woman may sue a divorce; but only then when her husband would abuse her against nature. (Blount’s Voyage.)

Verse 13

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them .

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:13 "

Verse 14

But when Jesus saw it , he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

For of such is the kingdom of God — As oft, therefore, as we see an infant, let us think that a teacher is given us of God, Psalms 131:1-2 .

Verse 15

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:1 "

Verse 16

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:15 "

Verse 17

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:16 "

Verse 18

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is , God.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:17 "

Verse 19

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

Defraud not — Do no man injury either by force or fraud. This seems to be an abstract of all the other afore mentioned commandments.

Verse 20

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:20 "

Verse 21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Loved him — As a tame man, and fit to live in a civil society. Or he loved him, that is, he pitied him, as a self-deceiver: like as we pity moderate Papists. Common gifts should cause some union: for they are of a middle nature between nature and grace: as the spirits of a man are of a middle nature between his soul and body, and serve to unite both.

Verse 22

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Went away grieved — Which he would have not done, if he had loved God and his neighbour, as he professed to do. The Greek word λυπουμενος signifies, that he went away pouting and louring, fronte nubila, with a cloudy forehead, betokening his great discontent; he came hastily, but went away heavily.

Verse 23

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

That have riches — Or rather, are had of riches. Have them we may, love them we may not, 1 John 2:15 .

Verse 24

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

For them that trust in riches — As most rich men do, thinking themselves simply the better and the safer for them. This blab is soon blown up.

Verse 25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:24 "

Verse 26

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:25 "

Verse 27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

With God all things are possible — This place is much pleaded by the Papists for their fiction of transubstantiation. I tell thee (said Bonner to Philpot) that God, by his omnipotence; may make himself to be this carpet, if he will. (Acts and Mon.)

Verse 28

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:27 "

Verse 29

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:28 "

Verse 30

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Brethren, and sisters, and mothers — Mothers he cannot receive in kind, when once dead; but God will be to him better than ten mothers: communion with him shall yield more comfort than all outward comforts can. He can also make Jonathan more loving to David than any wife, and the kings of Moab and Ammon to be his foster parents. This made Hermannus, Archbishop of Cullen, to reform his church, using therein the aid and advice of Martin Bucer: wherefore he was deposed by the Emperor, which he patiently suffered. Zechariah 10:6 ; "They shall be as if I had not cast them off, and I will hear them." God will one way or other make up his people’s lowlies; they shall have it again either in money, or money’s worth. Ne excrucier ob aurum et argentum: tu enim es mihi omnia, said Paulinus Nolanus, when the town was taken by the Barbarians. Let not my losses trouble me, Lord; for thou art mine exceeding great reward. (Aug. Civ. Die. i. 1.)

Verse 31

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

See Trapp on " Matthew 19:30 "

Verse 32

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

Jesus went before them — As most willing of his way, though he went now to suffer. Show we like forwardness, and say, "I am in prison till I am in prison."

Verse 33

Saying , Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:17 " See Trapp on " Matthew 20:18 "

Verse 34

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:19 "

Verse 35

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

Whatsoever we shall desire — One said he could have what he would of God; and why? but because he would ask nothing but what was agreeable to the will of God. Fiat voluntas mea, said Luther in a certain prayer; but then fails off sweetly, Mea voluntas, Domine, quia tua. One saith of Luther, Vir iste potuit quod voluit apud Deum: that man can do what he will with God. (Melch. Adam.)

Verse 36

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:21 "

Verse 37

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:21 "

Verse 38

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:22 "

Verse 39

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

Ye shall indeed drink of the cup — But not of that bitter cup of his Father’s wrath, which he drank off in his passion. Only the saints fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ, Colossians 1:24 , υστερηματα , non προτερηματα .

Ye shall be baptized — And come out of the waters of affliction with as little hurt as a babe doth out of the water in baptism, by the help of divine grace.

Verse 42

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it , they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him , and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

They which are accounted to rule — All earthly kingdoms are but shows and shadows to that of God. Οι δοκουντες , Qui videntur imperare. They do but seem to rule.

Verse 46

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

Blind Bartimeus — Named and celebrated in the Gospel, when many mighty monarchs are utterly forgotten, or else lie shrouded in the sheet of shame.

Verse 47

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

See Trapp on " Matthew 20:29 " See Trapp on " Matthew 20:30 "

Verse 48

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

The more a great deal — True faith works its way through many obstacles, as the clouded sun doth.

Verse 49

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

Jesus’ stood — The Sun of righteousness stood still to hear a poor beggar. I have seen the King of Persia many times (saith a late traveller) to alight from his horse to do justice to a poor body.

Be of good comfort — It seems by this that he was troubled in mind.

Rise, he calleth thee — So he doth every poor penitent, who therefore ought to come boldly to the throne of grace, since the golden sceptre is thus held forth,Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 4:16 .

Verse 50

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And he casting away his garment — Though a beggar, he stood not upon the loss of his coat; but for joy of his calling, cast it from him. SoJohn 4:28; John 4:28 ; Hebrews 12:1 .

Verse 51

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

What wilt thou, … — Christ, though he know our thoughts and suits long before (for he is intimo nostro intimior nobis ), yet he will have us utter our own wants in our own words, and make our requests known unto him with thanksgiving, Philippians 4:6 ; this is as sweetest music in his ears.

Verse 52

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Followed Jesus in the way — Followed him now without a guide; or followed him, though going up to Jerusalem to suffer death. Love is strong as death.