Teachings about Divorce (Mark 10:1–12)
1 UST So, Jesus completed saying those things. Then, he{ and his apprentices} left the region of Galilee. They traveled to the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. BSB BSB: When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
2 UST Large groups of people went with him, and in that place, he cured those{ who were sick}. BSB BSB: Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.
3 UST Some Pharisees came to Jesus in order to investigate him. They asked,“Does our law allow a husband to divorce his wife whenever he wants to?” BSB BSB: Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
5 UST Then God said,‘That is why men{, when they marry,} no longer live with their parents and instead live with their wives. Each husband and wife together become like one person.’ BSB BSB: and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
6 UST Consequently, each husband and wife are not like two different people any longer. Rather, they are like one person. Since that is true, no one should divide people whom God has united.” BSB BSB: So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
7 UST The Pharisees responded,“If that is true, why{ did Moses instruct us in our law about how to divorce wives}? He required each husband to present his wife with a document that states that he is divorcing her. Then, he can divorce her.” BSB BSB: “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
9 UST Now here is what I want to tell you: a man may divorce his wife only if she has had improper sex. When a man divorces his wife for any other reason and marries another woman, he disobeys what God commanded about being sexually faithful to one’ s spouse. Further, any man who marries a woman whose husband has divorced her also disobeys what God commanded about being sexually faithful to one’ s spouse.” BSB BSB: Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
11 UST Jesus replied,“Many people do not accept what you have said. Only people whom God enables{ to accept it can do so}. BSB BSB: “Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
Jesus Blesses the Children (Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17)
13 UST After that, some people took young children to Jesus. They wanted him to bless them by touching them and to pray{ for them}. However, the apprentices told them to stop. BSB BSB: Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 UST However, Jesus told{ the apprentices},“Allow the young children to come here. Do not stop them!{ I say that because} they and people like them are part of God’ s heavenly kingdom.” BSB BSB: But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
15 UST { After saying that,} Jesus blessed the young children by touching them. Then, he left that place. BSB BSB: And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
The Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30)
16 UST After that, a person came to Jesus! He asked,“Instructor, what is a good thing I can do so that I will live with God forever?” BSB BSB: Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”
17 UST Jesus replied,“You should not ask me about what would be a good{ thing to do}. God is the only one who is good. Now{ to answer your question}, since you desire to truly live, you should do what God has commanded.” BSB BSB: “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 UST The man replied,“Which{ things that God has commanded do you mean}?” Jesus answered him,“Here are the ones I mean: Do not murder others. Do not be sexually unfaithful to your spouse. Do not steal things. Do not say what is untrue. BSB BSB: “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
19 UST Treat your parents respectfully. Care for people you know as much as you care for yourself.” BSB BSB: honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 UST The young man replied,“I have done each of these things{ that God commanded}. What more do I need to do{ to truly live}?” BSB BSB: “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
21 UST Jesus answered,“Since you desire to complete{ doing what is good}, go{ home} and sell what you own. Give{ that money} to poor people.{ If you do that,} God will reward you in heaven. Then, come with me as my apprentice.” BSB BSB: Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
22 UST After the young man listened to what Jesus said, he felt very sad and left.{ He was very sad} because he was rich{ and did not want to lose what he owned}. BSB BSB: When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
23 UST After that, Jesus told his apprentices,“It is hard for rich people to participate in God’ s heavenly kingdom. What I have said is true. BSB BSB: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 UST I want you to understand that, so I will repeat it. Large animals like camels cannot fit into very small spaces. However, it is even harder for rich people to participate in God’ s kingdom.” BSB BSB: Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 UST What Jesus said greatly surprised the apprentices. They said,“So then, it must be that God does not actually rescue anyone!” BSB BSB: When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 UST Jesus looked directly at his apprentices. He said,“People cannot rescue themselves. However, God can do anything!” BSB BSB: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 UST After{ Jesus said} that, Peter replied,“We left behind everything we had and went with you as your apprentices! So then, how will God reward us?” BSB BSB: “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”
28 UST Jesus replied,“Someday God will renew everything that he has made, and I, the Son of Man, will sit down{ to rule} from my great throne. When that happens, you too, since you have come with me as my apprentices, will sit down{ to rule} from 12 thrones{, one for each of you}. You will decide whether people from the 12 Israelite clans are guilty or innocent. What I have said is true. BSB BSB: Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 UST Some people leave behind houses, siblings, parents, wives, children, or fields. They do that because they want to be my apprentices. God will give those people many times{ what they left behind}. Further, he will enable them to live with him forever. BSB BSB: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
30 UST { At that time,} many people who are important right now will become unimportant. Many people who are unimportant right now will become important. BSB BSB: But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.