Mark 10

1 Then Jesus left [from that place, departed] that place and went into [toward, entered] the region [borders, territory] of Judea [southern Palestine, the land of the Jews], beyond [on the other side, across] the Jordan [a significant river in Palestine]. Again [once more, as before] the crowds [large groups, multitudes] came to Him and He taught [instructed, guided] them, as [in the manner, according to] was His custom [usual practice, accustomed way]. word study 2 Some Pharisees [members of a Jewish sect] came to test [tempt, try] Him. “Is it lawful [permitted, allowed] for a man [adult male, husband] to divorce [put away, release] his wife [woman, spouse]?” they inquired [asked, questioned]. word study 3 “What [which command] did Moses [the Hebrew lawgiver] command [order, instruct] you [as his people]?” He [in response] replied [answered, said]. word study 4 They answered, “Moses [the Hebrew lawgiver] permitted [allowed, gave permission] a man to write [to record, to inscribe] his wife a certificate [a written document, a bill] of divorce [separation, a split] and send [to release, to let go] her away [from his presence, into separation].” word study 5 But Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] told them, “Moses wrote this [divine instruction, command] commandment [precept, law] for you because of your [stubborn, unyielding] hardness of heart [stubbornness, unwillingness to listen]. word study 6 However, from the [very first] beginning of creation [the act of making, bringing into existence], ‘God [the one true deity] made them [as his own, for a purpose] male [male in nature] and [also, in addition] female [female in nature].’ word study 7 ‘For this reason [because of, on account of] a man [human being, male person] will leave [abandon, depart from] his father [male parent, ancestor] and mother [female parent, nurturer] and be united [joined, cleave] to his wife [woman, spouse], word study 8 and the two [as a married couple, united] will become one flesh [a single, unified entity, physically and spiritually].’ So they are no longer two [separate individuals], but one flesh [united in a profound way, as one body]. word study 9 Therefore [then, as a consequence] what God [the one true deity] has joined together [united, coupled, yoked], let man [a human being, mankind] not [lest, under no circumstances] separate [put asunder, leave, divide].” word study 10 When they were back [again, once more] inside the house [home, dwelling place], the disciples [learners, pupils] asked Jesus [concerning] about this matter [thing, issue, topic]. word study 11 So He told them, “Whoever [puts away] divorces his wife [woman, spouse] and marries [takes as a wife, weds] another [different, a new] woman commits [is guilty of, practices] adultery [unfaithfulness, infidelity] against [toward, with regard to] her [his former wife, the one he divorced]. word study 12 And if a woman [a wife, female spouse] divorces [releases, sets free] her husband [male partner, spouse] and marries [weds, becomes the wife of] another [a different, second] man, she commits [practices, is guilty of] adultery [immorality, unfaithfulness].” word study 13 Now people were bringing [leading to, offering to] the little children [young ones, infants] to Jesus [the Messiah, Savior] for Him to place [lay, put] His hands on them [to bless, to touch], and the disciples [learners, followers] rebuked [warned, scolded] those who brought [were bringing, leading] them. word study 14 But when Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] saw this, He was indignant [deeply upset, much displeased] and told them, “Let the little children [young ones, humble and trusting] come to Me, and do not hinder [prevent, forbid] them! For the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the Almighty, Creator] belongs to such as these [those who are humble, trusting]. word study 15 Truly [verily, with absolute certainty] I tell you, anyone who does not receive [welcome, accept] the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the one true deity] like a little child [as a humble, trusting youngster] will never [in no way, under no circumstances] enter [come into, participate in] it.” word study 16 And He took [embracing them warmly] the children in His arms, placed [laying gently] His hands [as a symbol of blessing and authority] on them, and blessed [praising and speaking well of] them [asking God to care for them]. word study 17 As Jesus started on His way [to depart, going forth], a man ran up [hastening, came running] and knelt [bowed down, kneeled to show respect] before Him. “Good [beneficial, morally excellent] Teacher [instructor, rabbi],” he asked, “what must I do [to make, to accomplish] to inherit [receive as a gift, obtain] eternal [lasting forever, age-during] life [physical and spiritual existence, union with God]?” word study 18 “Why do you call Me [having God’s nature, good in the sense of being divine] good?” Jesus replied. “No one [none, nobody] is good [morally upright, righteous] except [but, only] God [the one true deity, alone in His excellence] alone [the sole source of goodness]. word study 19 You know the commandments [divine instructions, laws to live by]: ‘Do not [refrain from, avoid] murder [take someone’s life, kill], do not [refrain from, avoid] commit adultery [be unfaithful, cheat], do not [refrain from, avoid] steal [take something without permission], do not [refrain from, avoid] bear false witness [lie, give false testimony], do not [refrain from, avoid] cheat others [defraud, deceive], honor [show respect, value] your father and mother [those who gave you life, caregivers].’ ” word study 20 “Teacher [instructor, master],” he replied, “all [every, everything] these [commandments, laws] I have kept [observed, guarded] from my [since my] youth [young age, early life].” word study 21 Jesus [looking deeply into his soul] looked at him, loved [with a deep affection and concern] him, and said to him, “There is one thing [a single essential element] you lack: Go, sell [dispose of, relinquish] everything you own and give [bestow, impart] to the poor [those in need, the impoverished], and you will have treasure [a store of precious riches] in heaven [the realm of God’s presence]. Then come [draw near], follow Me [be my disciple, walk in my footsteps].” word study 22 But the man [who was very wealthy, having great possessions] was saddened [became gloomy, his countenance fell] by these words [the message, the saying] and went away [departed, left] in sorrow [grief, sadness], because he had [was holding, possessed] great wealth [many possessions, riches]. word study 23 Then Jesus looked around [looking around, gazing at the scene] and said to His disciples [His learners, pupils], “How [in what way, to what extent] hard [difficult, challenging] it is for the rich [those who have wealth, possessions] to enter [to go into, to become part of] the kingdom [the royal power, dominion] of God [the supreme Creator, Almighty]!” word study 24 And the disciples [followers, learners] were amazed [astonished, stunned] at His words [message, teachings]. But Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] said to them again [once more, a second time], “Children [young ones, believers], how [in what way, to what extent] hard [difficult, challenging] it is [exists, is the case] to enter [come into, join] the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the Almighty, Creator] [who trusts in riches, relies on wealth]! word study 25 It is [simpler, more feasible] easier for a camel [a large, cumbersome animal] to pass through the eye [a small opening, a needle’s hole] of a needle [a sewing instrument, a tiny orifice] than for a rich [wealthy, prosperous, having abundant resources] man to enter [to go into, to become part of] the kingdom [the reign, the dominion, the rule] of God [the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Almighty].” word study 26 They were even more [exceedingly, beyond measure] astonished [amazed, struck with wonder] and said to one another, “Who [which one, what person] then [at that time, in that case] can be saved [delivered, rescued from sin, healed, protected]?” word study 27 Jesus [looking closely at them, with a deep gaze] looked at them and said, “With man [human beings, in their own strength] this is impossible [unable to be done, lacking power], but not with God [the all-powerful Creator, having divine ability]. For all things [everything, every circumstance] are possible [able to be done, within His power] with God [who is omnipotent, all-sufficient].” word study 28 Peter [the rock, a disciple] began [to rule, commence] to say [to speak, share] to Him, “Look [see, behold], we [I, us, as a group] have left [released, forsaken] everything [all, every possession] and followed [accompanied, become disciples] You [as our Lord, Master].” word study 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus [the Messiah, God’s Anointed] replied, “no one who has left [abandoned, forsaken] home [house, family] or brothers [male siblings, fellow believers] or sisters [female siblings, sisters in faith] or mother [female parent, nurturer] or father [male parent, authority] or children [offspring, spiritual descendants] or fields [lands, possessions] for My sake [because of Me, for the sake of the gospel] and for the gospel [good news, message of salvation] word study 30 will fail to receive [a hundred times more, abundantly] a hundredfold [now, in this life] in the present age [this current time, this world]—houses [homes, dwellings] and brothers [fellow believers, spiritual siblings] and sisters [female fellow believers] and mothers [spiritual mothers, caregivers] and children [spiritual children, dependents] and fields [lands, possessions], along with [accompanied by, including] persecutions [suffering, trials]—and in the age [the world, eternity] to come [that is coming, the future], eternal [forever, everlasting] life [spiritual existence, union with God]. word study 31 But many [a great number, numerous] who are first [foremost, of highest rank] will be last [least important, in a lower position], and the last [those who are behind, in a lower position] will be first [most important, in a position of honor].” word study 32 As they were going up [ascending, on their way] the road [path, journey] to Jerusalem [the holy city], Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] was walking ahead of them [leading the way, going before]. The disciples [the twelve apostles, His followers] were amazed [astonished, stunned], but those who followed [accompanied, trailed behind] were afraid [fearing, in awe]. Again [once more, a second time] Jesus took the Twelve [His inner circle, the twelve apostles] aside and began to tell them what was going to happen [occur, come to pass] to Him [to Jesus, the Christ]: word study 33 “Look, we are going up [ascending, to ascend] to Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine], and the Son of Man [the human one, a title for Jesus] will be delivered [surrendered, betrayed] over to the chief priests [high-priest] and scribes [scholars of the law]. They will condemn [judge against, sentence] Him to death [physical or spiritual death] and will deliver [hand over, surrender] Him over to the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations], word study 34 who will mock [ridicule, make sport of] Him and spit [showing disrespect, contempt] on Him and flog [scourge, whip] Him and kill [destroy, take His life] Him. And after three [the third day, a period of 72 hours] days He will rise [stand up, come back to life] again.” word study 35 Then James [one of Jesus’ twelve apostles] and John [the Apostle, brother of James], the sons [children, descendants] of Zebedee, came [approached, drew near] to Jesus and declared [said, spoke], “Teacher [Rabbi, instructor], we want [desire, wish] You to do [accomplish, perform] for us whatever [anything, all things] we ask [request, petition].” word study 36 “What [which thing, what matter] do you want [desire, wish] Me [I, the Messiah] to do [accomplish, perform] for you [on your behalf, in your interest]?” He [Jesus, the Lord] inquired [asked, said]. word study 37 They answered, “Grant [allow, permit] that one of us may sit [be seated, have a place of honor] at Your right hand [the position of highest authority] and the other at Your left [the side of lesser honor, yet still a place of glory] in Your glory [the state of being honored, praised, and admired, divine splendor].” word study 38 “You do not know [are unaware of, have no understanding] what you are asking,” Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] replied. “Can you drink [partake of, experience] the cup [a drinking vessel] I will drink, or be baptized [immersed, overwhelmed] with the baptism [ceremonial washing, spiritual trial] I will undergo [endure, suffer through]?” word study 39 “We can [are able, have the power],” the brothers answered. “You will drink [partake of, share in] the cup [of suffering, affliction] that I drink [experience, undergo],” Jesus said, “and you will be baptized [immersed, overwhelmed] with the baptism [of suffering, trial] that I undergo [experience, endure]. word study 40 But to sit [be seated, take a position] at My right [the place of honor] or left [the side of lesser honor] is not Mine [belonging to Me] to grant [bestow, give]. These seats [positions of authority] belong to those [certain ones] for whom [to those for whom it has been prepared] they have been prepared [made ready, set aside].” word study 41 When the ten [other disciples, remaining apostles] heard about this, they became indignant [deeply upset, much displeased] with James [son of Zebedee, brother of John] and John [the Apostle, one of Jesus’ twelve]. word study 42 So Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as [considered to be, supposed to be] rulers [princes, leaders] of the Gentiles [non-Jewish nations, peoples] lord it over them [exercise dominion, master], and their superiors [great ones, high-ranking officials] exercise authority [rule, have power] over them [command, govern]. word study 43 But it shall not be this way [thus, in this manner] among you. Instead, whoever wants to become [to be, to exist as] great [prominent, esteemed] among you must be your [faithful] servant [minister, attendant], word study 44 and whoever [desires to be the most important] wants to be [first in rank or position] first must be the [bondservant or servant, one who is subject to another] slave [a servant or bondservant] of [all people, everything] all. word study 45 For even the Son [the Messiah, God’s anointed one] of Man [a human being, a descendant of Adam] did not come [arrive, appear] to be served [ministered to, attended to], but to serve [minister, attend to others], and to give [surrender, offer] His life [soul, breath of life] as a ransom [redemption price, payment for sin] for many [a large number, numerous people].” word study 46 Next, they came to Jericho [a city in Palestine]. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving [departing from] Jericho with a large [great, sufficient] crowd, a blind [physically and possibly spiritually blind] beggar named Bartimaeus [son of Timaeus], the son of Timaeus, was sitting [seated, resting] beside [by, near] the road [path, way]. word study 47 When he heard [and understood, with spiritual perception] that it was Jesus [the Nazarene, from Nazareth] of Nazareth, he began [to commence, to start] to cry out [loudly, with urgency], “Jesus, Son [descendant, offspring] of David [the king, an ancestor of Jesus], have mercy [show compassion, be gracious] on me [toward me, upon me]!” word study 48 Many people [lots of individuals, a large crowd] admonished him [rebuked, warned] to be silent [to hold his peace, quiet], but he cried out [shouted, cried loudly] all the louder [much more, with increased intensity], “Son [descendant, child] of David [King David, the messianic lineage], have mercy [show compassion, be merciful] on me [toward me, to my benefit]!” word study 49 Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] stopped [stood still, came to a halt] and said, “Call [summon, invite] him.” So they called [addressed, spoke to] the blind [physically or spiritually unable to see] man. “Take courage [be of good cheer, have faith]!” they said. “Get up [arise, stand up]! He is calling [inviting, summoning] for you [to come to Him].” word study 50 Throwing off [casting away, discarding] his cloak [outer garment, mantle], Bartimaeus jumped up [sprang up, rose quickly] and came [drew near, approached] to Jesus [the Savior, God’s salvation]. word study 51 “What do you want [desire, wish] Me to do [accomplish, bring about] for you [on your behalf, in your life]?” Jesus [the Messiah, God’s Son] asked [inquired, sought to know]. “Rabboni [my Master, Teacher],” said the blind [physically and spiritually unable to see] man, “let me see [perceive, understand, have sight] again [once more, be restored].” word study 52 “Go [depart, be on your way],” said Jesus, “your [personal, trusting] faith [confidence, trust in God] has healed [saved, made whole] you [restored to spiritual and physical health].” And immediately [at once, without delay] he received [regained, recovered] his sight [ability to see, spiritual perception] and followed [accompanied, walked with] Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior] along the road [path, journey]. word study