Mark 10

The journey of Jesus’ earthly ministry is approaching its end. Mark has established that Jesus is God’s Son, the long-promised Messiah. But the message has taken an unexpected turn: The King is going to die, and He is calling for followers – men and women who will live their lives now in preparation for His future Kingdom. It’s radical…and rewarding!

Mark 10 At-a-Glance
• Jesus teaches on divorce (1-12)

• Jesus blesses children and talks of the Kingdom (13-16)

• Jesus counsels ‘rich young ruler’ and teaches on the Kingdom (17-31)

• Jesus predicts His suffering and death, calls disciples to follow (32-45)

• Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus (46-52)


The Message of Mark 10
• Kingdom living involves ‘radical righteousness’!

• Kingdom living requires a child-like obedience.

• Worldly riches are a hindrance to Kingdom living.

• Suffering with Christ leads to Kingdom rewards.

• Believers with spiritual insight follow the King!


“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Jesus, Mark 10:14 

For Further Study

1. Mark 10:1-12 records Jesus answering a question about divorce from the Pharisees. The Pharisees were more interested in what the Law (Moses) permitted than in what God commanded (see Jesus question in v3, and their response in v4.) What did Jesus focus on? Consider Jesus’ uncompromising words in vv11-12. This isn’t the norm today! How would you counsel a divorced and remarried person to respond in light of Jesus’ statement?

2. On the heels of this radical teaching on divorce, Mark records an encounter with Jesus and children. What child-like attribute do you think Jesus had in mind when He said, “of such is the kingdom of God”? How will a person who is looking forward to Christ’s coming kingdom receive what Jesus says?

3. While many think the ‘rich young ruler’ was asking Jesus how to be saved, Jesus’ answer suggests differently. How did Jesus say to receive eternal life (see Jn 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26)? What does Jesus offer those who follow Him in a life of self-sacrifice (see vv21, 30)? What does “many who are first will be last, and the last first” (v31) say about the relationship between our lives now, and in Christ’s coming kingdom?

4. After foretelling His coming death (32-34), Jesus responds to a request from James and John to co-reign in His kingdom with Him (37) by suggesting that such an honor is reserved for those who share in His sufferings (38). What would be worth giving up now to reign with Christ in His kingdom? What attitude and actions does Jesus propose (see vv19, 21, 29, 43)?

5. Chapter 10 ends with Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus. Why do you think Mark chose this story to put here (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit)? Though blind, Bartimaeus ‘saw’ who Jesus was: What did the title “Son of David” mean? What did he do after Jesus healed him? While the world makes us blind to the significance of who Jesus is, through the eyes of faith we can ‘see’…and follow Him on our road in this life!

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