Bible Commentaries
Mark 10

Verse 1

1 Arose from, thence refers to Capernaum where Jesus had been teaching, and started on the journey toward Jerusalem. By the farther side is the same as saying by way of that region; the route traveled was along the eastern side of the Jordan. As usual, the crowds gathered about Jesus and he taught them.

Verse 2

2 In Matthew's account of this conversation (chapter 19:3) the Pharisees add the words "for every cause." Mark says they asked the question for the purpose of tempting Jesus. They hoped he would say something that would disagree with the law a .d thus give them an occasion for accusing him.

Verse 3

3 Instead of answering di rect, Jesus asked them to repeat the law of Moses on the subject of the question they professed to have in mind.

Verse 4

4 They stated the law correctly as far as they went, and that law may be seen in Deu 24:1.

Verse 5

5 Jesus did not deny their citation but explained the reason for the law; the people were not in the favorable attitude for the strictness of enforcement, and as an emergency some tolerance was extended to them.

Verse 6

6 Jesus also informed them that it was not always that way, and his teaching soon indicated that a return to the original ruling would be required after the kingdom of heaven was set up. The original order was that God made them male and female; singular on both sides, not male and females.

Verse 7

7 For this cause means for the cause soon to be stated, a man should leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. The word cleave means that he should join his body with hers in the fleshly relationship.

Verse 8

8 The result of that cleaving was to be that the two bodies would become one in the flesh. Not only would they be one flesh at the time of the union, but it was to be permanent, for it says they would be no more twain, but one flesh.

Verse 9

9 It says that God joined these two, and that was because the ordinance was authorized of God. The fleshly union made them one and the unfaithfulness of either would be the way that the union could be put asunder.

Verse 10

0 The disciples wished to have further information.

Verse 11

1 The wish was granted by the statement of this verse. The simple fact of divorcing a wife does not constitute adultery, but the remarriage to another (except when the wife has been unfaithful, Mat 19:9) does.

Verse 12

2 The same rule applies to a wife that does to a husband.

Verse 13

3 It is natural for people to want their children admired and even to be fondled. These children were brought to Jesus for that purpose, and it is not any surprise that such a desire would exist, especially in view of the importance of this great "friend of man." The disciples evidently thought that Jesus had more important things to do than to notice children.

Verse 14

4 Jesus overheard the objections of his disciples and concluded it was an appropriate time to give them a lesson touching the principles of his kingdom soon to be set up. Of such should be noted, for it is very significant. Little children were not to become members of the kingdom, for they do not need it. The point is that the spirit of those who are acceptable members of the kingdom of heaven must become like that of a little child.

Verse 15

5 Receive the kingdom of God as a little child means they must become as the child in spirit, otherwise they will not be welcomed into the kingdom.

Verse 16

6 Jesus then gave an example of his own teaching by taking the children in his arms and bestowing upon them a caressing touch. Blessed them means he pronounced his good wishes upon them.

Verse 17

7 The teaching of Jesus had given the impression that something special would be required in order to have eternal life. No doubt this man (who Matthew says was young, chapter 19:20) sincerely desired eternal life, but he had no idea what he would be required to do in obtaining it.

Verse 18

8 None good but one is explained at Mat 19:17.

Verse 19

9 These six commandments of the Decalogue are the ones that pertain to man's dealing with man. Jesus knew that in this man's case the extra law he would give would also be in that class.

Verse 20

0 The man claimed to have kept all of these and Jesus did not deny it.

Verse 21

1 A p.art of Thayer's definition of the original for love is "to regard the welfare of." Knowing the situation with the young man, Jesus considered that his spiritual welfare was at stake. He decided to show him what would be necessary to assure him of that welfare, which was to dispose of his riches.

Verse 22

2. The man's attachment to his riches was the occasion of this grief.

Verse 23

3 How hardly shall they . . . enter the kingdom, of God. The reader should see the comments covering this whole event at Mat 19:20-27.

Verse 24

4 The words trust in riches gives the key to this subject, which is expressed also by Paul in 1Ti 6:17, and is virtually the same as "the love of money" in the same chapter and verse 10.

Verse 25

5 This needle is explained in the comments cited in verse 23.

Verse 26

6 The disciples were taking a purely physical view of the subject.

Verse 27

7 With God all things are possible as far as power is concerned.

Verse 28

8 Have left all meant they had literally left their homes in order to travel with Jesus in his journeys through the country.

Verse 29

9 Many things had to be left behind if they went with Jesus in this kind of a journey, for they would have been encumbrances to the work.

Verse 30

0 Now in this time refers to the life on earth with these apostles, but after their bodily association with Jesus had been fulfilled. They were to have their homes and families for their personal use again (such as Peter rejoining his wife, 1Co 9:5), but would be required to endure persecutions for the sake of their religion. World to come means the age after the judgment in which the righteous will enjoy eternal life.

Verse 31

1 This important language is commented upon at Mat 19:30.

Verse 32

2 Jesus had told his disciples that he was to be mistreated (chapter 8:31), and they seemed to think he should not voluntarily go to Jerusalem. When they saw that he was even foremost in the journey they were amazed. Although they followed along after him they were under a feeling of terror.

Verse 33

3 Instead of trying to lessen their fears by painting the picture in some favorable colors, Jesus repeated what he had said to them before. Deliver him to the Gentiles was to be because the Jews could not execute the death sentence.

Verse 34

4 Jesus usually included the resurrection in r is predictions of his death.

Verse 35

5 This request was for the sake of James and John, but Mat 20:20-21 states that their mother made the plea to Jesus.

Verse 36

6 The Lord knows what we need or want before we ask him, but he desires that we ask him (Mat 6:8).

Verse 37

7 This request was based on their idea of an earthly kingdom.

Verse 38

8 The disciples did not realize what was involved in their request. They thought only of the glory that was supposed to come upon those in positions of authority in the kingdoms of the world. The cup and baptism that Jesus mentioned were figurative, referring to the trials that were in store for those who were associated with Christ in the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 39

9 Without realizing what it meant, the disciples indicated they were ready to accept the cup and baptism. Even in a spiritual kingdom, such a cup and baptism as Jesus meant were to be expected, hence he told them they would have that experience.

Verse 40

0 Is not mine to give is explained at Mat 20:23.

Verse 41

1 The other apostles were displeased with James and John. It evidently was because of their desire to be seated above the others in places of authority.

Verse 42

2 Jesus found it necessary so many times to explain the fundamental difference as to true greatness between his kingdom and those of the world. In them the strongest are the ones who exercise the rule of authority and domination.

Verse 43

4 It was to be the opposite of that in the kingdom of heaven. In it the truly greatest citizens will be the ones who render the most service to others.

Verse 45

5 The principle of service as a sign of true greatness was practiced by the Son of man notwithstanding he was to be the king. He devoted his life on earth to service unto others, then crowned that service by giving his life for the benefit of the whole world that all might be saved who would serve him.

Verse 46

6 Jesus came to Jericho after crossing the Jordan on the way to Jerusalem. As he and his disciples with a great number of other people were leaving that city, they passed a blind beggar sitting by the wayside.

Verse 47

7 This man had been asking for the necessities of life only, for he did not expect any of the people to be able to do anything for his blindness. But the fame of Jesus had reached his ears, and learning that he was passing by it prompted him to ask for more important favor.

Verse 48

8 The crowd thought the blind man was interrupting the work of Jesus, but he was made more persistent by the attempt to quiet him.

Verse 49

0 Whoever was given the command to call the blind man gave him a kindly greeting. Upon information that Jesus, had heard his plea he arose and went to him. He cast away his outer garment that he might move more easily.

Verse 51

1 Jesus knew the nature of the man's affliction, but wished him to express his request as an indication of his faith. (See comments at verse 36).

Verse 52

2 For the sake of his faith the Lord granted the unfortunate man his sight. Notice that. it was immediately as all truly miraculous cures were done.