The Bible — World English Bible

Mark 10

In brief

Mark 10 follows Jesus on the road to Jerusalem and gathers teachings that overturn ordinary values. He speaks of marriage as God intended from creation, welcomes children as models for entering the kingdom, and calls a rich man to follow him. He announces his death, answers James and John's ambition by saying greatness comes through service, then restores sight to Bartimaeus.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-12Marriage and divorce: God's plan from the beginning
  2. v. 13-16Receive the kingdom like a little child
  3. v. 17-31The rich man and the cost of following Jesus
  4. v. 32-45James and John: greatness through service
  5. v. 46-52Bartimaeus, the blind man who cries out to Jesus

1He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them.

2Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3He answered, “What did Moses command you?”

4They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.”

5But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.

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

7For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,

8and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

10In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.

12If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.”

13They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.

14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

15Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

16He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

17As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.

19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ ”

20He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”

21Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”

22But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.

23Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”

24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

25It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

26They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”

27Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

28Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.”

29Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,

30but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

31But many who are first will be last; and the last first.”

32They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.

33“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.

34They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”

36He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

37They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.”

38But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;

40but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

41When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.

42Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.

44Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.

45For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”

48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

49Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”

50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”

52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.

Key verses

Verse 9
What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Jesus goes back to creation to speak of marriage: what God has joined together, let no one separate. Christian churches do not all draw the same practical conclusions.

Verse 15
Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them. The kingdom belongs to such as these. To enter the kingdom, you must receive it like a child, with trust and without self-reliance.

Verse 21
Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”

Jesus said to him: one thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor. The rich man's possessions occupy first place in his heart; Jesus points to the obstacle that keeps him from following.

Verse 45
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. This verse gives the key to the whole chapter: for Jesus, greatness comes through service.

Verse 51
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”

Jesus asks Bartimaeus the same question he asks James and John: what do you want me to do for you? One asks for places of honor; the other asks to see.

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Frequently asked questions about Mark 10

What does it mean to receive the kingdom like a little child (Mark 10:15)?

At verses 14-15, Jesus says the kingdom belongs to those who are like children. A child receives without earning and trusts. To enter the kingdom is to welcome it as a gift, without relying on your own achievements.

Why does Jesus ask the rich man to sell everything?

Jesus sees that his possessions occupy first place in the man's heart and loves him. He points to the obstacle that keeps him from following. Christians debate its application to all, but all see in it a call to put Christ before money.

What does 'not to be served, but to serve' mean (Mark 10:45)?

Jesus answers his disciples' ambition by reversing greatness: for him, to be great is to serve. He sets the example by giving his life as a ransom for many, which is at the heart of the Gospel and models Church life.

What does Mark 10:9 say about marriage?

Jesus goes back to creation: man and woman become one flesh, and what God has joined together, let no one separate. The verse expresses the value God gives to marriage. Churches do not all apply it the same way to cases of divorce.

Articles quoting Mark 10

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World English Bible translation — public domain.