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In this lesson:
Marriage and divorce. Jesus blesses the children. Between this passage and verse 10:52 (lesson 85), Mark concentrates on Jesus' trip to Calvary and crucifixion. Because Jesus traveled though Perea and Judea on His way to Jerusalem, many Bible scholars refer to this as the Perean-Judean Ministry, which took about four months. Matthew covers this ministry in 19:1-20:34, Luke in 9:51-19:27, and John in 7:3-12:12. Study Tip: It helps to study more than one Bible translation. As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
Jesus blessing the children
By American illustrator Harry Anderson (1906-1996) |
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 10:1-16
Jesus on divorce 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. 2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 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. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 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. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. |
Margin notes:
"Cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan." (10:1) - Means, "went into the region of Judaea across the Jordan river." "The people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them." (10:1) - "The people gathered around Him again, and as was His custom, He taught them." "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?" (10:2) - "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "Tempting him." (10:2) - Means, "Testing Him." The Pharisees were trying to discredit Jesus by misquoting Moses (see note for verse 10:4 below). If Jesus condemned divorce, perhaps the crowd would turn against Him. Also, the Pharisees saw how Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist over the issue of divorce (Mark 6:17-28) and hoped he might do the same to Jesus. "What did Moses command you?" (10:3) - To see what Moses wrote about divorce, read Deuteronomy 24:1-2. "Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement." (10:4) - Means, "Moses allowed divorce." The Mosaic Law permitted divorce only under certain circumstances. The Pharisees twisted the meaning of Deuteronomy 24:1 and permitted divorce in almost all situations. This was not God's intention. "For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept." (10:5) - "Because you had hard hearts, he wrote this commandment for you." "God made them male and female." (10:6) - Paraphrased from Genesis 1:27 and 5:2. "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife." (10:7) - "For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife." Jesus is paraphrasing Genesis 2:24. "They twain shall be one flesh." (10:8) - "The two shall be one." "Let not man put asunder." (10:9) - "Let no man tear apart." In Jesus' day, many marriages were like business arrangements where women were often treated as property. Women could be divorced if their husbands were unhappy for any reason. Jesus taught against this and reiterated God's original plan that marriage should bring togetherness. "Suffer the little children to come unto me." (10:14) - "Allow the little children to come to Me." "As a little child." (10:15) - "Like a little child." Jesus is telling us to have childlike faith and trust in God (Matthew 18:3). |
Matthew 19:1-9 (lesson 37) also touches on divorce. The story of the little children is also found in Luke 18:15-17.
New Living Translation
Mark: 10:1-16
Discussion about Divorce and Marriage
1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them.
2 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"
3 Jesus answered them with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?"
4 "Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."
5 But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.
6 But 'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation.
7 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,
8 and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one,
9 let no one split apart what God has joined together."
10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.
11 He told them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her.
12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery."
Jesus Blesses the Children
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Discussion about Divorce and Marriage
1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them.
2 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"
3 Jesus answered them with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?"
4 "Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."
5 But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.
6 But 'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation.
7 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,
8 and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one,
9 let no one split apart what God has joined together."
10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.
11 He told them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her.
12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery."
Jesus Blesses the Children
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (10:1)
"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (10:6-9)
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (10:15)
"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (10:6-9)
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (10:15)
Today's Question:
1. How can two people become one flesh in marriage? (10:8)
To strengthen your relationship with God, read your Bible daily.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Mark 10:8 emphasizes the sacredness of marriage. According to the "Quest Study Bible" (Published by Zondervan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 1452), "God designed marriage as a living illustration of harmony and interdependence. One flesh underscores the sexual union, but the marriage bond also dignifies a profound spiritual merger as two individuals blend their time, resources, emotions and goals. Just as Christ binds together many individuals with unique personalities and gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) marriage combines two persons in a common bond of committed and lasting faithfulness (Ephesians 5:21-33)."
Application thought for the day:
Jesus tells us that those with childlike faith will find the kingdom of God (10:14-15). True faith is trusting in God even when we don't understand His power or His ways. Just as small children trust their parents, we should trust our heavenly father.
1. How can two people become one flesh in marriage? (10:8)
To strengthen your relationship with God, read your Bible daily.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Mark 10:8 emphasizes the sacredness of marriage. According to the "Quest Study Bible" (Published by Zondervan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 1452), "God designed marriage as a living illustration of harmony and interdependence. One flesh underscores the sexual union, but the marriage bond also dignifies a profound spiritual merger as two individuals blend their time, resources, emotions and goals. Just as Christ binds together many individuals with unique personalities and gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) marriage combines two persons in a common bond of committed and lasting faithfulness (Ephesians 5:21-33)."
Application thought for the day:
Jesus tells us that those with childlike faith will find the kingdom of God (10:14-15). True faith is trusting in God even when we don't understand His power or His ways. Just as small children trust their parents, we should trust our heavenly father.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke