ON the numerous events which intervened between the last section and this, see Matthew 19:1-12. This chapter, as far as Mark 10:31, corresponds with Matthew 19: giving us lessons concerning the marriage relation in the church (Matthew 19:2-12), children in the church (Matthew 19:13-16), and property... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:1. FROM THENCE. From Capernaum, the final departure from Galilee. AND BEYOND THE JORDAN (Perea). The common reading is ‘through the farther side of (beyond) the Jordan.' John's narrative shows that he visited Jerusalem at least twice in the interval, and hence this account is literally cor... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:2. Mark omits ‘for every cause' (Matthew), but the whole subject is brought into discussion, a dangerous topic in the territory of Herod, the husband of Herodias.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:3. WHAT DID MOSES COMMAND YOU? Peculiar to Mark. This question at once takes the matter out of the sphere of tradition and Rabbinical hair-splitting, into that of Divine law.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:4. See on Matthew 5:31, which is precisely the same.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:5. FOR YOUR HARDNESS OF HEART. Their general sinfulness, with special reference to harshness toward their wives, which this regulation was designed to counteract. It was not to encourage divorce. HE WROTE. This implies that some of the precepts of the Mosaic law were of temporary validity,... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:6-9. See on Matthew 19:4-6. Our Lord sanctions the words of Genesis 2:24, by making them his own. Whether at first spoken by Adam, or a comment by Moses, they are the words of God (Matthew). This is the first precept or prophecy of Holy Writ, but again and again quoted. As a _remnant of Para... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:10. AND IN THE HOUSE. An accurate detail peculiar to Mark. The fuller private teaching was needed, for these disciples were to teach the world new lessons on the subject of marriage and divorce, and thus elevate women. Sadly enough, women who have been elevated by these teachings are seeking... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:11. See on Matthew 19:9, where the case of one marrying a divorced woman is added. AGAINST HER. It is not clear whether this means the first or second woman. But the marriage with the second is a crime against the first, as well as adultery with the second. The one justifiable ground of di... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:12. AND IF SHE HERSELF PUT AWAY, etc. Mark's account is peculiar in representing the woman as seeking the divorce. This was unusual among the Jews (exceptional cases: Michal, 1 Samuel 25:44; Herodias, Matthew 14:4), though it occurred among the Greeks and Romans. Probably in this confidentia... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:13. THAT HE SHOULD TOUCH THEM. So Luke, Matthew: ‘lay his hands on them and pray.'... [ Continue Reading ]
See notes on Matthew 19:13-15; comp. Luke 15-17, who at this point resumes the parallelism with Matthew and Mark. The account before us is the fullest and most striking of the three.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:14. MUCH DISPLEASED, _i.e.,_ at the rebuke of the disciples. Peculiar to Mark. Some sign of displeasure was probably on His countenance. How careful we should be not to call forth His displeasure, by keeping children from Him, be cause we are speculating on high themes about marriage and div... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:15. See on Matthew 18:3. The connection here is remarkable. Not only may infants be brought to Christ, but adults, in order to enter the kingdom, to come to Him, must become _like_ them. Only as a little child can any one enter the kingdom. It is fairly implied that children in years can be... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:16. AND TAKING THEM IN HIS ARMS. Mark loves to tell of our Lord's gestures. Christ did more for the children than those who brought them asked, as He always does. The servants of such a Master should welcome children to His fold. LAYING HIS HANDS ON THEM. ‘We have no definite account of an... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:17. ON (lit., ‘into') THE WAY. On His journey to Jerusalem, as He finally left Perea. THERE RAN ONE, etc. Peculiar to Mark. This eagerness and respect was the more remarkable, since the man was a ‘ruler' (Luke), and ‘very rich.' Still the enthusiasm was also that of youth (Matthew: ‘the yo... [ Continue Reading ]
The position of this section is the same in all three Gospels. Mark 10:17 shows that our Lord had already started on His journey to death. This gives the greater emphasis to His demand for self-denial from the rich young man. The connection with Mark 10:15 is also significant: the love of riches is... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:18. WHY CALLEST THOU ME GOOD? Matthew (the correct reading): ‘Why askest thou me of that which is good?' In applying the term ‘good' to our Lord, the young ruler was honest, but mistaken. He used it without fully apprehending its meaning. On the connection of this answer with the one ‘good t... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:19. DO NOT DEFRAUD. This probably answers to the tenth commandment Matthew gives the sum of the second table of the law. See on Matthew 19:18-19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:20. See on Matthew 19:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:21. AND JESUS LOOKING UPON HIM LOVED HIM. A touching particular peculiar to Mark. The young man made no immediate response to this love. How then could Jesus have loved him in his self-righteousness and worldliness? The phrase ‘looking upon him,' indicates that the love was called forth by t... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:22. BUT HIS COUNTENANCE FELL. A strong expression, peculiar to Mark, who loves such minute details of look and gesture. See on Matthew 19:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:23. LOOKED ROUND. A second look of Jesus, in earnest sadness, we may well suppose.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:24. WERE AMAZED. The word is a strong one. Mark introduces this astonishment of the disciples earlier than Matthew, and adds the Lord's explanation: CHILDREN (a term of affection to tranquillize them), HOW HARD IT IS FOR THEM THAT TRUST IN RICHES, etc. That this trust is almost inseparable f... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:26. ASTONISHED OUT OF MEASURE. Driven out of their wonted state of mind, dismayed. Evidently they felt that having riches almost inevitably led to ‘trusting in riches.' In fact many who have not riches are seeking wealth as the chief good, because they already _trust_ in it. Because the impo... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:27. LOOKING UPON THEM. This third look is mentioned by Matthew also. The first (Mark 10:21) was a look of affection, the second (Mark 10:23) a look of sorrow, the third of kindness bringing hope, for the grace of God is declared to be equal to this task, impossible with men. This passage opp... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:28. PETER BEGAN TO SAY. Probably under the influence of the astonishment just mentioned. On the promise to the Apostles, see Matthew 19:28. Mark's account presents a few peculiar features.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:29. AND THE GOSPEL'S SAKE. A similar addition occurs in chap. Mark 8:38. Mark perhaps inserts this in both places, in consequence of his own shrinking from suffering on account of the Gospel (Acts 13:13; Acts 15:38); so also, ‘with persecution' (Mark 10:30). He would guard others against his... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:30. NOW IN THIS TIME. So Luke. It is implied, though not very plainly, in Matthew's account. HOUSES, etc. This repetition is peculiar to Mark, and characteristic MOTHERS. ‘Nature gives us only one, but love, many'(see Romans 16:13). _We_ do not find ‘fathers' here, or ‘wives' (‘wife' bein... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:31. See Matthew 19:30; this proverb is there illustrated by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:32. THEY WERE IN THE WAY. Actually on the public road. GOING UP TO JERUSALEM; continuing the journey already begun. JESUS WAS GOING BEFORE THEM _,_ leading the way. Probably implying some remarkable energy in His gait, some determination or eagerness in His manner. AND THEY WERE AMAZED... [ Continue Reading ]
See notes on the parallel passage in Matthew (Matthew 20:17-34). These events took place on the final journey to Jerusalem, from Perea through Jericho. The raising of Lazarus is, however, placed by some between the departure from Perea and this final journey.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:34. _Spit upon him._ See chap. Mark 15:19. Omitted by Matthew. KILL HIM. Matthew: ‘crucify Him,' which is implied here, as the ‘Gentiles,' to whom the whole verse refers, were to put Him to death. The Twelve failed to understand this detailed prediction (Luke 18:34). That danger threatened... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:35. AND JAMES AND JOHN. The request doubtless originated with them. In the account of Matthew (Matthew 20:20; Matthew 20:22), the answer is addressed to them, and Salome appears as an intercessor for them. Either both mother and sons preferred the request, or the mother for the sons. The for... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:36-41. See on Matthew 20:21-24. This account has some marks of independence. IN THY GLORY (Mark 10:37), instead of ‘in thy kingdom' (Matthew). Mark also omits ‘by my Father' after ‘prepared' (Mark 10:40). The two clauses about His baptism (Mark 10:38-39) are peculiar to this Gospel; the bes... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:42. ACCOUNTED TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, have the title of rulers, God being the real Ruler, or are recognized as rulers, the essence of all heathen government being despotism. The latter is perhaps the more suggestive sense.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:43-45 show few variations from Matthew 20:26-28. See notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:46. AND THEY COME TO JERICHO. Mark specifies this, and this shows that our Lord entered the city _before_ the blind man was healed, so that Luke's account (chap. Luke 18:35) must refer to a _second_ entrance. On the location of Jericho, and the date of this miracle, see Matthew 20:29. AS H... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:47. Notice the contrast between the title given by the curious crowd: THE NAZARENE (the form used by Mark, and with one exception by him alone), and that in the cry of the blind beggar: SON OF DAVID (Messiah).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:48. _See Matthew 20:31._ The continued crying is even more strongly set forth here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:49. CALL YE HIM. Peculiar in this form to Mark, and omitted altogether by Matthew. This was a ‘reproof to the reprovers.' It seems to have had an effect, for the words now addressed to the blind man are full of sympathy: BE OF GOOD CHEER, rise, he calleth thee. The order is that of _kindness... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:50. CASTING AWAY HIS GARMENT. A detail indicating that the narrative comes from an eyewitness. Bartimeus did not stop to care for the cloak that might be lost, if it impeded his progress. Nay, if he received his sight, it could easily be found again. SPRANG UP. This mark of eagerness is al... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:51. MASTER (or my Master). The word is ‘Rabboni' (as in John 20:10), the most respectful of the three titles, Rab, Rabbi, Rabboni. Comp. Matthew 23:7. THAT I MAY RECEIVE MY SIGHT, or, ‘see again.' Not _how or why_, but the _desire_, which he believes the Lord can grant in the best way.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 10:52. GO THY WAY. Not necessarily a command to depart, but a token that his prayer was granted. The commendation is omitted by Matthew, who speaks of our Lord touching the blind man, but this seems more accurate. FOLLOWED HIM IN THE WAY. Not simply for the time being, we suppose, but joined... [ Continue Reading ]