Bible Commentaries
Mark 10

Verse 1

He cometh thence - From Galilee. Matthew 19:1 .

Verse 2

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

Matthew 5:31; Matthew 19:7; Luke 16:18.

Verse 4

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

Deuteronomy 24:1.

Verse 6

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

From the beginning of the creation — Therefore Moses in the first of Genesis gives us an account of things from the beginning of the creation. Does it not clearly follow, that there was no creation previous to that which Moses describes? God made them male and female - Therefore Adam did not at first contain both sexes in himself: but God made Adam, when first created, male only; and Eve female only. And this man and woman he joined together, in a state of innocence, as husband and wife.

Verse 7

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

Genesis 2:2411,12. All polygamy is here totally condemned.

Verses 11-12

All polygamy is here totally condemned.

Verse 13

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

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.

Jesus seeing it was much displeased — At their blaming those who were not blame worthy: and endeavouring to hinder the children from receiving a blessing.

Of such is the kingdom of God — The members of the kingdom which I am come to set up in the world are such as these, as well as grown persons, of a child-like temper.

Verse 15

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

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child — As totally disclaiming all worthiness and fitness, as if he were but a week old.

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?

Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:18.

Verse 20

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

He answering, said to him, Master — He stands reproved now, and drops the epithet good.

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.

Jesus looking upon him — And looking into his heart, loved him - Doubtless for the dawnings of good which he saw in him: and said to him - Out of tender love, One thing thou lackest - The love of God, without which all religion is a dead carcass. In order to this, throw away what is to thee the grand hinderance of it. Give up thy great idol, riches. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast.

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!

Jesus saith to them, Children — See how he softens the harsh truth, by the manner of delivering it! And yet without retracting or abating one tittle: How hard is it for them that trust in riches - Either for defence, or happiness, or deliverance from the thousand dangers that life is continually exposed to. That these cannot enter into God’s glorious kingdom, is clear and undeniable: but it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a man to have riches, and not trust in them. Therefore, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

Verse 28

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

Lo, we have left all — Though the young man would not.

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.

He shall receive a hundred fold, houses, … — Not in the same kind: for it will generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will accept it with persecutions.

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,

They were in the way to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed — At his courage and intrepidity, considering the treatment which he had himself told them he should meet with there: and as they followed, they were afraid - Both for him and themselves: nevertheless he judged it best to prepare them, by telling them more particularly what was to ensue. Matthew 20:17; Luke 18:31.

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.

Saying — By their mother. It was she, not they that uttered the words. Matthew 20:20.

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?

Ye know not what ye ask — Ye know not that ye ask for sufferings, which must needs pave the way to glory.

The cup — Of inward; the baptism - Of outward sufferings. Our Lord was filled with sufferings within, and covered with them without.

Verse 40

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.

Save to them for whom it is prepared — Them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. For these only eternal life is prepared. To these, only he will give it in that day; and to every man his own reward, according to his own labour.

Verse 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.

A ransom for many — Even for as many souls as needed such a ransom, 2 Corinthians 5:15.

Verse 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.

Matthew 20:29; Luke 18:35.

Verse 50

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

Casting away his garment — Through joy and eagerness.