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Home , Mark 10

Christ Episcopal Church Study – Mark 10:1-16 – by Scott Kitayama

10 He left that place and went to the region of and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 2 Some came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5 But said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘ made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

“The emphasis here is on family life in the new kingdom community. Jesus states that the easy-divorce policy advocated by many was not God’s will and that divorce was allowed only because of their stubborn . He further teaches that children are models for kingdom living and to enter life with God, all must have a childlike faith.” Mark Strauss 1. In verse two, a group of Pharisees come to ask Jesus a question but what is their intent or motive behind the question?

2. What is their question to Jesus (v2)? Why was it an unusual question to ask Jesus (Deuteronomy 24-1-4)? Hint: the right to divorce was generally assumed within Judaism.

3. How does Jesus respond to them (v3)? And how do the Pharisees respond back to Jesus (v4)? Side note: There were two schools of thought on divorce during this time. The school of Shammai allowed divorce only in the case of adultery while the school of Hillel allowed for it for almost any reason. Also in general, only men could initiate the proceedings of divorce.

4. In verse five, Jesus will rebuke the Pharisees for their view of divorce. What does Jesus attribute to their view of divorce?

5. Where does Jesus turn to answer the hard heart of the Pharisee (v6-8)? Jesus quotes from Genesis 1:27 that God created what type of humans (v6)? On what plane does Jesus place a man and a woman? Jesus again responds in verses 7-8, with scripture from Genesis 2:24. Christ Episcopal Church Bible Study – Mark 10:1-16 – by Scott Kitayama

What two points do you get from the reading of Genesis 2:24? Who is the husband obligated to in the marriage? Who is the lord of the marriage between husband and wife (v9)?

6. In verses 11-12, how do they contrast with the verses from 7-9? Do you think Jesus is condemning the one who is divorcing the other? Is there a cultural context behind these verses? See the hint above.

7. Why were people bringing their children to Jesus (v13)? What was the attitude of his disciples toward the children? See also 9:36-37. Why might the disciples seek to keep the children from Jesus?

8. Why are children in this passage used as models for living in the kingdom of God (v14)? What are some of the characteristics that children embody?

Growing Deeper

1. How seriously do we apply the principles of marriage stressed in the scriptures of Genesis?

2. How can we receive the kingdom of God like a little child?