Mark 10
Is it Lawful to Divorce? (Mark 10:1-12)
Jesus travels through Judea and into the region east of the Jordan. As he did wherever he went, Jesus taught the people.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus, attempting to entrap him with a question: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” There are only a few passages that mention divorce in the Old Testament. One, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, is a law forbidding a divorced wife from returning to her first husband if she marries again. The cause of the original divorce is only vaguely stated as “for some uncleanness.” Historians tell us that during this time, there were two popular views concerning the law. Hillel's followers believed anything construed as “uncleanness” could justify a divorce. Another Jewish rabbi, Shammai, taught that “uncleanness” had to have been sexual uncleanness. The Pharisees apparently hoped to divide Jesus’ followers by having him declare a side in front of an audience.
Jesus again demonstrates that questions do not have to be answered as expected. Instead, he asks the "experts" what Moses had commanded. They correctly noted that divorce was permitted when a divorce certificate was presented. We note that it was an allowance and not a requirement. Jesus pointed out that this command was only given because the Jews were so stubborn. A hard heart refers to a person who refuses to sympathize with another (Deuteronomy 15:7). It can refer to a person who is stubborn and will not change his mind (Deuteronomy 2:30; II Chronicles 36:13). Thus, Jesus is stating because they refused to be sympathetic toward their spouses and refused to change their ways, divorce was regulated, but it wasn’t what God wanted.
Jesus goes back to the very beginning. God created man and woman and established marriage as the union of a man and woman after they were old enough to leave home. Consequently, since God joins, men should not seek the undoing.
The fact that Jesus stops here is significant. In the design of the world, before sin entered the world, the ideal is that a man and woman marry for life. Anything less is not as God wanted it. “‘Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence," says the LORD of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’” (Malachi 2:14-16).
What the Jews had done was broaden this sufferance on God’s part and treat it as if God commanded that it be done. Jesus puts it back into perspective. Jesus's points got the disciples thinking, and they asked him for more details.
In response, Jesus gives the general command in greater detail. Anyone divorcing his wife or her husband and marrying another commits adultery. The “and” in these statements tell us that it takes both actions – both divorce and remarriage – to cause adultery to happen. The implication is that just because people decide to end a marriage, it does not mean God releases them from their covenant.
Children (Mark 10:13-16)
Parents brought their children to Jesus to have the great prophet to their children and convey a blessing on them (Genesis 48:14-15). The disciples saw this as a distraction to Jesus and were trying to discourage the parents. But Jesus told them not to prevent the children from coming to him because such belonged to the kingdom of heaven.
To become a member of the church, a person must be like a child in innocence toward sin, teachableness, the joy of life, and all other aspects of a child’s personality (I Peter 2:1-2; 1:14; I Corinthians 14:20). This is another piece of evidence that children are not born totally depraved, as many denominations teach.
Children are also those who will someday become adults and church members. We should consider this when considering bringing our children to services. They will be members of the future church one day. When is the best time to develop habits for the future? (Proverbs 22:6).
A Young Man’s Question (Mark 10:17-22)
A man rushes up to Jesus and, kneeling before him, asks what he should do to obtain eternal life. Possibly attempting to be polite, the young man calls Jesus “Good Teacher.” Jesus points out that only God is truly good; therefore, by referring to him as “good,” the young man unknowingly calls Jesus God.
Thus, having established his authority to answer the young man’s question, Jesus said he needed to keep the commandments to enter eternal life. This answer grates on the ears of those who seek justification in faith alone. So, they dismissed the answer as only applicable under the Old Law, which was still in effect. But the answer remains the same in the New Law (I John 5:2-3; 3:22-24). Is one saved by works alone? Of course not! Faith is a part of God’s commands (Hebrews 11:6). Yet, at the same time, faith does not rule out obedience (Romans 1:5; James 2:14-26).
Jesus selects those commands that remain applicable under both the Old and New Law. Jesus focuses on the commands that deal with a man’s relationship with his fellow man. By this list, Jesus hints that the area the young man needed to work most upon lies in this realm of these commands.
The young man is confident that he has kept these commands since he was a small child. He wanted something more specific to his situation. He knew within himself that something important was missing. Jesus understood his sincere desire to do what was right. Mark mentions that Jesus answered him out of love (Mark 10:21). There was one thing lacking in his life that would make him complete. If he could go and sell all he had and give to the poor, he would be assured of eternal life. Jesus even invited him to join his disciples, something Jesus had only done a few times.
Jesus does not say that everyone must sell everything to be his disciple. He is pointing out to this young man where the source of his greatest hindrance to righteousness lies. This man valued wealth too much (I Timothy 6:17-19; Hebrews 10:34). Sadly, we see that Jesus was correct. The young man could not make himself do this one thing, even though he was assured that he would have eternal life if he did it. Even here, we see the hint of the good in the young man, for he did not scoff at Jesus’ command. It grieved him that he couldn’t find the ability to carry out the command within himself.
It is something we should all consider as well. Is there something that we hold dearer than life itself, something that we couldn’t bring ourselves to give up, even for heaven? (Matthew 10:37-39).
How Hard it is for the Wealthy to be Saved (Mark 10:23-27)
Commenting on the young man's departure, Jesus noted how hard it is for a rich man to enter heaven. It is not wealth that keeps men out of heaven, for there have been many wealthy men who were servants of God, such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Job. Instead, the love of wealth is the problem (I Timothy 6:9-10, 17-19; Psalms 52:7; 62:10). The conflict of interest causes the problem.
The disciples were astonished by this thought. They were used to seeing rich people get anything they wanted. Surely, they would have no hindrance to entering heaven if that was what they wanted. Who can be saved if the rich can’t be saved with all their advantages?
Jesus pointed out that, left alone, it would be impossible for men to save themselves, but with God, all things were possible (I Peter 4:18; Job 42:2; Jeremiah 32:17). Salvation belongs to God (Psalms 3:8).
Leaving and Gaining (Mark 10:28-31)
Peter pointed out that they had left everything to follow Jesus. With so little to work with, what could they possibly gain? Yet, they had done what the young man could not bring himself to do.
Though they had given up much, they had gained much more. People have given up family relationships when they choose to follow Christ. Even though they have lost a mother or father because of their choice, they gain so many more mothers and fathers among their fellow Christians. True, such gains do not come easily. Mark’s account tells us it comes with persecutions (Mark 10:30). However, even more wondrous is the gain of eternal life – far more valuable than anything on this earth (Philippians 3:8).
In Christ’s kingdom, there is a reversal of roles. Those whom you might expect to be first, such as the rich, are found to be last. In contrast, those you might expect to be last are truly those who are first in the kingdom.
Jesus Foretells His Death (Mark 10:32-34)
Jesus continues his final journey through Israel. Eventually, he will go to Jerusalem, but he takes time to prepare his disciples for what will eventually happen there. The disciples were amazed that Jesus would go to Jerusalem, but they feared Jesus’ destination. This fear is even displayed in how they traveled, with Jesus taking the lead and the disciples reluctantly following after.
Taking them aside, Jesus begins to describe what will happen to him.
- He will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes.
- The chief priests and scribes will condemn him to death.
- He will be turned over to the Gentiles.
- The Gentiles will mock and insult him.
- The Gentiles will scourge him.
- The Gentiles will spit upon him.
- The Gentiles will kill him.
All of this is in accordance with what was prophesied of the Messiah (Isaiah 53). Yet, he doesn’t leave the disciples on a fearful note. He tells them that he will arise from death after three days.
Request for Positions of Authority (Mark 10:35-40)
James and John approach Jesus. They were reluctant to make the request boldly because they asked Jesus to grant them a favor before they even stated what they sought.
Jesus points out that they do not understand what they are asking. He asked them if they were able to share the cup he was about to drink. A person’s cup is what comes to a person in life. It is his lot or portion given to him by God (Psalms 11:6; 16:5; 23:5; 75:8; 116:13; Isaiah 51:17; Ezekiel 23:33). He also asked if they would be willing to be baptized with his baptism. This is a reference to being immersed, or in this case, overwhelmed with difficulties (Luke 12:50). In other words, he is asking if they would be able to share in his sorrows and hardships (John 18:11), though they did not understand this at the time. They sought glory and an opportunity to share in Jesus’ glory. The brothers were confident they could share the portion God poured out for Jesus. Jesus told them they would share it, implying that it would happen willingly or not. James was slain by Herod (Acts 12:2), and John spent time in exile and was well acquainted with tribulation (Revelation 1:9).
Christ does hand out rewards in his kingdom (II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10, 17, 26; 3:12, 21). However, positions in his kingdom were not his to give arbitrarily. It belonged to those whom the Father had determined would receive them. It had to be done according to God’s purpose and not by whims of requests.
Greatness in the Kingdom (Mark 10:41-45)
The other disciples were not pleased with James and John’s apparent attempt to grab power for themselves. But Jesus steps in to tell all of them that their ambitions were misplaced. Greatness among the Gentiles is measured by the authority a person holds over others. This would not be the case in Christ’s kingdom. If someone wishes greatness, they must be servants of all.
The role of deacon (I Timothy 3:12-13) is to serve the church. One of the names for the role of a preacher is “minister,” which also refers to a servant (I Corinthians 4:1; II Corinthians 6:4; I Timothy 4:6). The names are to remind people that they do not run the church but function as servants of the church. Elders are also reminded of this (I Peter 5:3). They hold authority, but not as rulers or dictators.
Those who desire a high position in Christ’s kingdom must gain it by being a servant. Jesus sets the example by serving mankind (Isaiah 53:12). He gave his life as a ransom payment (I Timothy 2:6; I Peter 1:18-19). The payment is one given to release prisoners of war.
Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)
Mark states that this event occurred when Jesus left Jericho. Luke’s account says it happened when he came near Jericho (Luke 18:35-43). This causes some difficulties at first glance and is a passage that some reference to claim that the Bible contains contradictions. However, the difference arises because, at this time, there were two Jerichos. Herod had built a new Jericho about two miles from the original city, on the side closer to Jerusalem. The Gentiles mainly occupied the new city, while the Jews occupied the older city. Thus, this event takes place as Jesus leaves the ancient city of Jericho and approaches the new city of Jericho.
Matthew’s account tells us that there were two blind men involved, while Mark’s account mentioned one blind man. Mark’s account tells us precisely who the blind man is: Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. His name is a bit striking as the meaning of Bartimaeus is “son of Timaeus.” The difference in number is not contradictory. Mark did not state that there was only one blind man. The fact that Mark focused on one man doesn’t preclude that two were involved.
Bartimaeus was sitting at the side of the road, begging. There was a large crowd with Jesus, and the blind man realized something important was happening. Hearing that Jesus was going by, he began crying loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people around him tried to quiet the man down, but he shouted out all the more. He knew who Jesus was, his lineage, and that Jesus could cure blindness. By calling Jesus the Son of David, he confessed his belief that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus stopped before him and asked the blind man be brought to him. Those in the crowd told Bartimaeus that Jesus was calling for him. He cast aside his outer cloak, which would have slowed him down, and thus hints that Bartimaeus, though blind, hurried to Jesus’ voice. Jesus asked him what he wanted done for him. Bartimaeus stated that he wanted to regain his sight. This tells us that he once saw but lost his sight sometime in the past. Jesus told him that his faith made him well.
He demonstrated faith by calling Jesus the Son of David, asking for mercy from him, preserving to call upon Jesus despite the opposition, and running to Jesus when called. Bartimaeus began following Jesus and giving glory to God.
