Mark 10

Jesus teaches marriage from the Creation

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. Mark 10:5–9

Jesus answers a trap about divorce by going back to the Creation and God's plan for marriage. In Latter-day Saint understanding He was Jehovah, the Creator, so He teaches the original design He helped establish.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 19:3-9 — Matthew's account of the teaching on divorce.
• quotes Genesis 1:27 — 'Male and female created he them.'
• quotes Genesis 2:24 — A man shall leave father and mother, cleave to his wife, and be one flesh.

Jesus blesses the little children

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. Mark 10:13–16

When the disciples turn children away, Jesus is displeased and welcomes them into His arms to bless them. His kingdom belongs to the humble and childlike.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 19:13-15 — Matthew's account of blessing the children.
• a parallel account in Luke 18:15-17 — Luke's account of the same event.

Good Master who invites, Follow Me

Good Master — Good Teacher

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Mark 10:17–22

A young man asks how to gain eternal life, and Jesus looks at him with love and invites him to give up his riches and follow Him. Eternal life is found by following Christ, not just keeping a checklist.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 19:16-22 — Matthew's account of the rich young man.
• a parallel account in Luke 18:18-23 — Luke's account of the rich ruler.

Salvation impossible with men, possible with God

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! Mark 10:23–27

When the disciples ask who can be saved, Jesus says no one can save himself, but God can do what we cannot. Salvation comes through God's power and grace.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 19:23-26 — Matthew's account of the camel and the needle.
• a parallel account in Luke 18:24-27 — Luke's account of the same teaching.

For My sake — eternal life

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Mark 10:28–31

Jesus promises that whatever His followers give up for His sake will be repaid many times, with eternal life in the world to come. He is worth any sacrifice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 19:27-30 — Matthew's account of the promise to those who leave all.
• a parallel account in Luke 18:28-30 — Luke's account of the same promise.

Third prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Mark 10:32–34

Walking ahead of His frightened disciples toward Jerusalem, Jesus foretells every step of what is coming: betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, spitting, death, and rising on the third day. He goes willingly.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 20:17-19 — Matthew's account of the third Passion prediction.
• alludes to Isaiah 50:6 — 'I gave my back to the smiters ... I hid not my face from shame and spitting.'
• fulfilled by Mark 15:15-20 — He is scourged, mocked, and spit upon.
• fulfilled by Mark 16:6 — 'He is risen.'

The cup and the baptism of His suffering

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. Mark 10:35–40

James and John ask for glory, but Jesus speaks of the 'cup' He must drink and the 'baptism' of suffering He must pass through — His Atonement. The same cup appears in Gethsemane, when He asks the Father to remove it yet submits.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 20:20-23 — Matthew's account of the request of Zebedee's sons.
• fulfilled by Mark 14:36 — In Gethsemane: 'take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will.'
• fulfilled by D&C 19:18 — The Savior's own account: 'would that I might not drink the bitter cup.'

The Son of Man gives His life a ransom for many

Ransom — the price paid to set captives free

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. Mark 10:42–45

Jesus teaches that true greatness is serving, and He is the greatest example: He came to serve and to give His life as the price that frees us from sin and death.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 20:25-28 — Matthew's account, ending with the ransom saying.
• alludes to Isaiah 53:12 — The servant 'poured out his soul unto death ... and he bare the sin of many.'
• alluded to by 1 Timothy 2:6 — Christ 'gave himself a ransom for all.'

Son of David

Son of David — the promised royal heir of David, a Messianic title

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. Mark 10:46–52

Blind Bartimaeus recognizes what many who can see miss: Jesus is the Son of David, the promised Messiah-King. He refuses to be silenced, is healed by his faith, and follows Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 18:35-43 — Luke's account of the blind man near Jericho.
• a parallel account in Matthew 20:29-34 — Matthew's account of two blind men calling 'thou Son of David.'
• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The LORD promises David a seed whose kingdom He will establish for ever.
• fulfils Isaiah 35:5 — 'Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.'