3. Lessons concerning self-sacrifice 10:1-31Jesus gave this series of lessons south of Galilee in Perea and Judea, not in Galilee. Another contrast is the audience. He gave the preceding instruction to the disciples in a house, but He gave this teaching to the multitudes and the disciples in the open air. read more
Mark tied this incident into what immediately preceded more closely than the other evangelists did. He wanted his readers to see this young man as expressing exactly the opposite of what Jesus had just taught His disciples. The man was a rich (Mark 10:22) young (Matthew 19:20) ruler (Luke 18:18). His approach to Jesus was unusually earnest and respectful, but he viewed eternal life as something one must earn.Matthew wrote that he asked what he should do to get or obtain (Gr. scho) eternal life,... read more
The encounter with the rich young ruler 10:17-22 (cf. Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23) read more
Jesus’ instruction about wealth 10:17-31A question from a man in the crowd initiated this incident. Then Jesus proceeded to instruct His disciples following up the encounter. The position of this section in Mark’s Gospel is significant. It occurs after Jesus’ teaching about the importance of receiving the kingdom with trust and humility (Mark 10:13-16), and it precedes Jesus’ third prediction of His passion (Mark 10:32-34). The young man thought he could obtain the kingdom with works and... read more
The man had a superficial understanding of goodness. Jesus’ response confronted the man with the implications of trying to do some good work to earn eternal life and calling Jesus "good." Was he ready to respond to Jesus’ instructions as to God’s Word? read more
The Question of Divorce. The Rich Young Man. Blind Bartimæus1-12. The question of divorce (Matthew 19:3). See on that passage, and on Matthew 5:32. St. Mark represents our Lord as prohibiting divorce absolutely, without mentioning any exception.1. See on Matthew 19:1: cp. Luke 17:11.13-16. The blessing of little children (Matthew 19:13; Luke 18:15). See on Mt.17-22. The rich young man (Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:8). See on Mt.17. Good Master] Mk and Lk represent the young man as saying, ’Good... read more
(17-27) And when he was gone forth.—Better, as He was going forth. (See Notes on Matthew 19:16-26.)Running, and kneeled to him.—Another of St. Mark’s vividly descriptive touches. The adjective “good,” which is wanting in the better MSS. of St. Matthew, is the true reading here. St. Mark and St. Luke give the word “inherit,” instead of St. Matthew’s “have,” or “possess.” read more
(18) Why callest thou me good?—Our Lord’s question is, in St. Mark’s report, in harmony with that of the seeker after life eternal. Its obvious drift was to force him back upon the conditions of absolute goodness, to make him ask himself how far, and under what conditions, that word might be used relatively of any child of man. read more
The Directing of the Early Mind Mark 10:13 I. 'That He should touch them' not simply 'that they should touch Him'. This latter was quite unnecessary. Touching is the metaphor for influence. There was no difficulty in the heart of Jesus being touched by the children; but it was extremely difficult to arrange that the heart of the children should be touched by Jesus. II. It is easy for the developed mind to understand the child the developed mind has itself been a child and retains a memoir of... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 10:17-19
Mark 10:17-19. There came one running,— St. Luk 18:18 calls this person αρχων τις, a certain ruler, by which may be meant either a ruler of the synagogue, or a member of the sanhedrim. This person expected to have found Jesus in the city of Ephraim; but when he understood he had justleft that place to go to Jerusalem, he ran after him, and, coming up to him, he kneeled to him, in token of respect, and addressed him upon an important question, with the title of good master, or, as the words... read more