What does Jesus mean by “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder”?

Jesus is going back to God’s first design for marriage. He reminds the Pharisees that God made people male and female and that in marriage the two become “one flesh.” That means husband and wife are joined in a deep, God-given union, not just a human agreement that can be ended at will. When he says, “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder,” he is saying marriage is meant to be a lasting covenant, and people should not lightly break what God himself has joined.

Why did Jesus say Moses allowed divorce because of hardness of heart?

When the Pharisees asked about divorce, Jesus pointed them back to Moses and said the allowance was “for the hardness of your heart.” This means the law about a written bill of divorce was not God’s ideal, but a concession because people’s hearts were stubborn and sinful. It was meant to restrain worse harm, especially to wives, in a broken situation. Jesus then lifts their eyes above that concession to God’s original will for lifelong, faithful union between husband and wife.

What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?

Jesus was upset when the disciples tried to keep children away from him. He said the kingdom belongs to such as them, and that anyone who does not receive it like a little child will not enter. This points to a humble, trusting attitude. Children know they are small and depend on others. In the same way, we come to God not bragging about our goodness, but open-handed, ready to be taught, trusting his word, and resting on his kindness rather than our own strength or status.

Why did the rich young ruler go away sad after talking with Jesus?

The rich young ruler came respectfully and asked about eternal life, and he claimed to have kept God’s commands from youth. Jesus looked at him with love and put his finger on the one thing holding his heart: his riches. He told him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow him. This was a call to let go of his trust in wealth and take up the cross of discipleship. The man went away sad because he had great possessions and was not willing to part with them.

How does Jesus describe the cost and reward of following him in this passage?

When Peter reminds Jesus that they have left everything to follow him, Jesus answers that anyone who leaves family, house, or land for his sake and for the good news will receive a hundredfold “now in this time” and “in the world to come eternal life.” He includes “with persecutions,” so the path is not easy. The reward is a new spiritual family and God’s care in this life, and eternal life to come. But he also warns that many who are first will be last, and the last first.

What does Jesus teach about true greatness and being a servant of all?

After James and John ask for places of honor, the other disciples are upset, and Jesus calls them together. He contrasts the way rulers among the nations use their power with how his followers should act. Among them, the one who wants to be great must become a servant, and the one who wants to be first must be “servant of all.” He points to himself as the example: the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

What does it mean that the Son of Man gives his life a ransom for many?

When Jesus says he came “to give his life a ransom for many,” he is talking about his death he has just predicted. A ransom is a price paid to free someone. Here it means he will lay down his life to set others free from sin and its judgment. He suffers, is mocked, beaten, and killed, and on the third day rises again. His death is not an accident but a willing act of service. Through this self-giving, many are rescued and brought into God’s kingdom.

Who is blind Bartimaeus, and what does his healing teach about faith?

Bartimaeus is a blind beggar sitting by the road near Jericho. When he hears Jesus is passing by, he cries out loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” even when people tell him to be quiet. He calls Jesus by a royal title, showing he believes he is the promised one. Jesus asks what he wants, he asks for sight, and Jesus says, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” He is healed at once and follows Jesus. His story shows that persistent, clear trust in Jesus brings both help and blessing.

Why does Jesus ask the rich ruler and Bartimaeus what they want him to do?

In both cases, Jesus already knows their needs, yet he asks, “What shall I do?” or “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” This draws out what is in their hearts. The rich ruler reveals that he wants eternal life but still clings to wealth. Bartimaeus, though poor and pushed aside, boldly asks for sight and shows real faith in who Jesus is. By asking them to speak, Jesus leads them to face their desires and shows that real help comes when we come to him honestly in faith.

Mark.10.1

Mark 10:1

Q: What does “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” mean here?

Jesus uses a vivid picture to show how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter God’s kingdom. A camel is large, and the eye of a sewing needle is tiny. Putting the two together shows human impossibility. The problem is not owning things as such, but relying on them. When the disciples are shocked and ask who can be saved, Jesus answers that what is impossible with people is possible with God. Salvation is God’s work, not something wealth or effort can buy.

KJV

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

Teachings about Divorce

1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

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

6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Jesus Blesses the Children

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

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

The Rich Young Man

17 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?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

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

24 And the disciples were astonished 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!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

30 But he shall receive an 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.

31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

The Third Prediction of the Passion

32 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,

33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

The Request of James and John

35 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.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 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.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus

46 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.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.