Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Mark 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Mark 10
"And he arose from thence and cometh into the borders of Judaea and beyond the Jordan: and multitudes come together unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? trying him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. But Jesus said unto them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house the disciples asked him again of this matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery." — Mark 10:1-12 (ASV)
Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ's constant practice. He shows here that the reason Moses' law allowed divorce was such that they ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts.
God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves if God should deal with them in the same way.
"And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them." — Mark 10:13-16 (ASV)
Some parents or nurses brought little children to Christ, so that he might touch them as a token of his blessing them. It does not appear that they needed bodily cures, nor were they capable of being taught: but those who had the care of them believed that Christ's blessing would do their souls good; therefore they brought them to him. Jesus ordered that they should be brought to him, and that nothing should be said or done to hinder it.
Children should be directed to the Saviour as soon as they are able to understand his words. Also, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children; we must be disposed towards Christ and his grace, as little children are towards their parents, nurses, and teachers.
"And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, [even] God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions." — Mark 10:17-22 (ASV)
This young ruler showed great earnestness. He asked what he should do now, so that he might be happy forever. Most people ask for good to be had in this world—any good (Psalms 4:6); he asks for good to be done in this world, in order to enjoy the greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this inquiry by strengthening his faith and by guiding his practice.
But here is a sorrowful parting between Jesus and this young man. He asks Christ what more he should do than he has done to obtain eternal life; and Christ puts it to him, whether he indeed has that firm belief in, and that high value for, eternal life that he seems to have. Is he willing to bear a present cross in expectation of a future crown?
The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ on easier terms; that he could not lay hold of eternal life and keep hold of his worldly possessions too. He went away grieved. See Matthew 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
"And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle`s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved? Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God. Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel`s sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first." — Mark 10:23-31 (ASV)
Christ took this opportunity to speak to His disciples about the difficulty of salvation for those who have an abundance of this world's goods. Those who so eagerly seek the world's wealth will never properly value Christ and His grace.
He also spoke of the greatness of salvation for those who possess little of this world's goods yet forsake what they have for Christ.
The greatest test of a good person's steadfastness comes when love for Jesus calls them to give up their love for friends and relatives. Even when they gain through Christ, they should still expect to suffer for Him until they reach heaven.
Let us, therefore, learn contentment in humble circumstances and guard against the love of riches in prosperous ones. Let us pray to be given the strength to part with everything, if required, for Christ's service, and to use all we are allowed to keep in His service.
"And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto him, [saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again. And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on [thy] left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand or on [my] left hand is not mine to give; but [it is for them] for whom it hath been prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be moved with indignation concerning James and John. And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." — Mark 10:32-45 (ASV)
Christ's perseverance in His undertaking for the salvation of humankind was, is, and will be, the wonder of all His disciples. Worldly honor is a glittering thing, with which the eyes of Christ's own disciples have often been dazzled.
Our concern must be that we have wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with Him; and we may trust Him to provide what the degrees of our glory will be.
Christ shows them that dominion was generally abused in the world. If Jesus were to gratify all our desires, it would soon become apparent that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of His cup, or to have His baptism; and we would often be ruined by having our prayers answered. But He loves us and will only give His people what is good for them.
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