Mark chapter 10 is rich with teachings on discipleship, humility, and the cost of following Jesus. It includes Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, his blessing of little children, the encounter with the rich young ruler, his prediction of his suffering, a lesson on servant leadership, and the healing of blind Bartimaeus.
The chapter begins with Jesus traveling to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Crowds gather around him, and as was his custom, he teaches them. Some Pharisees approach him, testing him by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus responds by asking what Moses commanded them. They reply that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away. Jesus explains that Moses permitted this because of the hardness of their hearts but that from the beginning, God made them male and female. He states, “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” He then declares that what God has joined together, no one should separate. Later, in private, his disciples ask him about this again, and he tells them that whoever divorces their spouse and marries another commits adultery.
Next, people bring little children to Jesus so that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuke them. Seeing this, Jesus is indignant and tells them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.” He emphasizes that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it. Then, he takes the children in his arms, lays his hands on them, and blesses them. This moment highlights the humility and trust required to enter God’s kingdom.
As Jesus continues on his journey, a man runs up to him and kneels before him, asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds by questioning why he calls him good, stating that only God is truly good. He reminds the man of the commandments: do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, and honor your father and mother. The man claims he has kept all these from his youth. Jesus looks at him with love and tells him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” The man’s face falls, and he walks away sorrowful, for he has great wealth.
Jesus then tells his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” The disciples are amazed at his words, but Jesus continues, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” The disciples are even more astonished and ask, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus replies, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” Peter begins to say that they have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them that whoever has left home, family, or fields for his sake and for the gospel will receive a hundred times as much in this life—along with persecutions—and eternal life in the world to come. He ends by saying, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
As they head toward Jerusalem, Jesus again takes the twelve aside and predicts his suffering. He tells them that the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, condemned to death, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, spit upon, flogged, and killed, but after three days, he will rise again.
James and John then approach Jesus and ask if they can sit at his right and left in his glory. Jesus asks if they can drink the cup he will drink and be baptized with his baptism. They say they can, and Jesus affirms that they will indeed share in his suffering, but to sit at his right and left is not his to grant. When the other disciples hear this, they become indignant. Jesus calls them together and teaches that, unlike the rulers of the Gentiles who dominate others, those who wish to be great must become servants. He says, “For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
As they leave Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus is sitting by the roadside. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he begins to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuke him, telling him to be quiet, but he cries out even louder. Jesus stops and calls for him. Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumps up and comes to Jesus. Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replies, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” Jesus tells him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus on the way.
Mark chapter 10 challenges us to consider what it truly means to follow Jesus. It teaches about the permanence of marriage, the necessity of humility, and the dangers of relying on wealth. The story of the rich young ruler reminds us that possessions can become an obstacle to following Christ, while the lesson on servant leadership calls us to humility and selflessness. Jesus’ prediction of his suffering and his statement that he came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many reveal the heart of his mission. Finally, the healing of Bartimaeus is a testament to faith, showing that those who persist in seeking Jesus will be transformed. This chapter urges us to embrace a childlike trust in God, surrender our attachments, and follow Jesus with full devotion.