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Mark Chapter
Ten
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Service of the
Bondman the Savior on the Way to Jerusalem
A. Who reasoned with the Pharisees concerning
the matter of divorce (v.1-12);
B. Who blessed the children (v.13-16).
C. Who persuaded the rich man to collect treasure in heaven (v.17-27);
D. Who talked about the reward for following
the Lord (v.28-31);
E. Who prophesied for the third time that He
would be suffered (v.32-34);
F. Who taught the disciples the way to be first
(v.35-45);
G. Who healed the blind man Bartimaeus
(v.46-52);
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Mark. 10:1 “Then He arose from there
and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes
gathered to Him again
and as He was accustomed
He taught them again. ”
YLT: “And having risen thence
he doth come to the coasts of
Judea
through the other side of the Jordan
and again do multitudes come
together unto him
and
as he had been accustomed
again he was teaching them.”
Literal
Meaning:
“came to the region of Judea”
He was going away to Jerusalem
where He would
be crucified. Therefore His journey afterwards was the way of cross.
“Beyond the Jordan”
it referred to the
land of Beriah on the east bank of the Jordan. This land was ruled by Herod
Antipas and its south border was the Dead Sea. Obviously
the Lord did not go
by way of Samaria this time.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“The
Jordan” (see v.1:9) was the place where the Lord was baptized (see Matt. 3:13)
---- when we fully put ourselves in the place of death
we will draw many people
to follow the Lord (see John 12:32).
2)
The
Lord always catches the opportunity to teach others. We shall also follow the
Lord’s example and proclaim the word whether it is urgent in season or out of
season (see 2Tim. 4:2).
Mark. 10:2 “The Pharisees came and
asked Him
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.
”
YLT: “And the Pharisees
having come near
questioned him
if
it is lawful for a husband to put away a wife
tempting him
”
Meaning
of Words: “divorce”:
free fully
release
depart;
The
Background:
the Jewish rabbis allowed men to divorce according to a verse in the book of
Deuteronomy. However they disagreed with each other concerning the lawful
reasons for divorce. There were mainly two groups
namely
Shammi
and Hillel
who argued with each other and held their own opinions. The Shammi
held that “the unseemly thing” in that verse referred to the unfaithfulness in
marriage and it was the only reason for divorce. However the Hillel
stressing
on the former sentence “she finds no favor in his eyes” in that verse
held
that as long as the wife did something that her husband dislike
her husband
was allowed to divorce her.
Literal
Meaning:
the Pharisees only cared about the words of the law and neglected the spirit of
the law
and therefore they were incompatible with the Lord’s teachings. Here
they wanted to tempt the Lord by the law of Moses so as to take hold of Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
the Pharisees represented the religionists who stressed on letters and
regulations. If we only focus on the letters of the Bible and yet neglect the
spiritual reality
we will become the Pharisees in the present days.
Mark. 10:3 “And He answered and said to
them
"What did Moses command you?" ”
YLT: “and he answering said to them
`What did Moses command
you?'”
Literal
Meaning:
the Lord avoided the focal point that the two sects of the Pharisees reasoned
through asking the doctrine of Moses.
Mark. 10:4 “They said
"Moses
permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce
and to dismiss her." ”
YLT: “and they said
`Moses suffered to write a bill of
divorce
and to put away.'”
Literal
Meaning:
here it referred to the regulation of divorcing one’s wife made by Moses (Deut.
24:1). However
it was not a positive teaching but a negative “permission”.
Mark. 10:5 “And Jesus answered and said
to them
"Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
”
YLT: “And Jesus answering said to them
`For the stiffness of
your heart he wrote you this command
”
Literal
Meaning:
Moses permitted men to divorce their wives because of “the hardness of their
hearts”
not God’s will “at the beginning”. Therefore it does not show that God
likes men to divorce.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
When
men do not listen to the words of God
God may “permit” them or “give them up”
to do according to their own will (see Rom. 1:28). But it is definitely not the
will of God.
2)
What
God permits may not be the central will of God. We believers
in our walking
shall not ask for the permission of God only.
Mark. 10:6 “But from the beginning of
the creation
God "made them male and female.' ”
YLT: “but from the beginning of the creation
a male and a
female God did make them;”
Literal
Meaning:
the Lord’s answer brought men to the state of “beginning”. When God created men
in the beginning
He made them male and female (Gen. 1:27
5:2) and let them be
united with each other. Therefore marriage is set up by God Himself.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
whether a matter conforms to the will of God shall be judged from the view of “beginning”
not the accomplished fact.
Mark. 10:7 “"For this reason a man
shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife
”
YLT: “on this account shall a man leave his father and
mother
and shall cleave unto his wife
”
Literal
Meaning:
the previous verse shows the will of God through His creation and this verse
proves that marriage is predestinated by God through His words. Moreover
God’s
predestination is a man and a woman instead of polygamy.
Spiritual Meaning: “the two shall
become one flesh”
it symbolizes the union between Christ and the church (Eph.
5:31-32).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
relation between a husband and a wife is more than the relation between parents
and children.
2)
Only
when we are delivered from the root of the natural life (“leave his father and
mother”) can we be of one mind with all the saints in the church (“be joined to
his wife”).
Mark. 10:8 “and the two shall become
one flesh'; so then they are no longer two
but one flesh.”
YLT: “and they shall be -- the two -- for one flesh; so that
they are no more two
but one flesh;”
Literal
Meaning:
the two shall never be one flesh any longer after the union of marriage in the
eyes of God. Therefore when the number of people is mentioned in the
scriptures
women are often not counted (see Matt. 14:21
15:38).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
the will of God in men’s marriage is “being jointed to each other” (v.7) and
“one flesh”
through which the oneness of Christ and the church shall be
experienced and manifested (see Eph. 5:31-32).
Mark. 10:9 “Therefore what God has
joined together
let not man separate." ”
YLT: “what therefore God did join together
let not man put
asunder.'”
Literal
Meaning:
every pair of husband and wife is joined by God and they are “one flesh” before
God. Therefore if they are divorced
it is actually to separate one flesh into
two halves.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
God
has jointed Christ and the church
let not man separate ---- do not let any
spiritual person
thing
doctrine and regulation interfere in Christ and the
church.
2)
“God
has joined together
let not man separate.” ---- God has tempered the body
together in the church and therefore we should not make divisions (See 1Cor.
12:24-25).
Mark. 10:10 “In the house His disciples
also asked Him again about the same matter.”
YLT: “And in the house again his disciples of the same thing
questioned him
”
Mark. 10:11 “So He said to them
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her. ”
YLT: “and he saith to them
`Whoever may put away his wife
and may marry another
doth commit adultery against her;”
The
Background:
according to the customs of the Jews in the old days
the divorce proposed by
only a husband could be settled
without the agreement of the wife. Beside
the
adjudication by Justice Department was also unnecessary.
Literal
Meaning:
“adultery” in the original refers to “the sexual behavior of married ones that
destroys the marital relations”. The only reason for normal divorce is that one
part has committed adultery
because in God’s sight adultery is the behavior
that destroys the union of the husband and the wife. Once the union of husband
and wife before God has been destroyed
there is no need to maintain the
outward union.
That a husband divorces his wife and
marries another has committed adultery and is indebted to his wife. The Lord’s
word indicated that though the husband had the right to divorce his wife
according to the customs at that time
he could still not be released from the
condemnation of morality and conscience.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
Pharisees only stressed on letters of the law (see v.7) and the Lord focused on
the spirit of the law. The letter kills but the spirit quickens (see 2Cor.
3:6).
2)
Believers
should neither walk according to the tide of the world nor be only satisfied
with obeying the national laws
but prove the will of God in everything (see
Rom. 12:2).
Mark. 10:12 “And if a
woman divorces her husband and marries another
she commits adultery."
”
YLT: “and if a woman may put away her husband
and is married
to another
she committeth adultery.'”
The
Background: the
wife was not allowed to propose the husband for divorce according to the Jewish
law. However
since the Jews then lived together with the gentiles
such as the
Romans
the Greeks
the Edomites and etc
the gentile custom that “a woman divorces her
husband and marries another” also invaded into the Jewish society.
Literal
Meaning: this
verse proved the reproof of John the Baptist ---- Herod should not marry his brother
Philip's wife (see 6:17-18).
Mark. 10:13 “Then they brought little
children to Him
that He might touch them; but the
disciples rebuked those who brought them. ”
YLT: “And they were bringing to him children
that he might
touch them
and the disciples were rebuking those bringing them
”
Literal
Meaning:
“that He might put His hands on them and pray”
they asked the Lord to bless
them.
“But the disciples rebuked those who
brought them.” ---- Most probably
the disciples thought the Lord’s journey to
Jerusalem should not be blocked by such little
naive and ignorant children.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Men’s
natural concept is full of the thoughts of divisions of honor and lowliness
(See James. 2:1-7). Believers may usually be unconsciously puffed up one for
one against another (see 1Cor. 4:6).
2)
Those
who fear the Lord should not be with respect of persons (see James. 2:1)
or
even not play the bully to others.
Mark. 10:14 “But when Jesus saw it
He
was greatly displeased and said to them
"Let the
little children come to Me
and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom
of God. ”
YLT: “and Jesus having seen
was much displeased
and he said
to them
`Suffer the children to come unto me
and forbid them not
for of such
is the reign of God;”
Meaning
of Words: “displeased”:
be angry;
Literal
Meaning:
“for of such”
it refers to men who are as innocent
humble and dependent as
little children. Such characters are the qualifications for entering the
kingdom of heaven (see Matt. 18:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
In
the church
nothing is so little that the Lord is not concerned about.
Therefore we should bring all things
whether it is great or not
before the
Lord.
2)
In
the church
no one is so great that something
in his eyes
is too small for
them to do.
3)
Those
who think that they own nothing and ask for the Lord humbly will be acceptable
to the Lord.
Mark. 10:15 “Assuredly
I say to you
whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means
enter it." ”
YLT: “verily I say to you
whoever may not receive the reign
of God
as a child -- he may not enter into it;'”
Mark. 10:16 “And He took them up in His
arms
laid His hands on them
and blessed them. ”
YLT: “and having taken them in his arms
having put hands
upon them
he was blessing them.”
Literal
Meaning:
“and blessed them”
“bless” in the original was a compound
containing the
meaning of “being earnest
and blessing one after another”.
Spiritual
Meaning:
“put His hand on them”
it has two spiritual meanings: a) the one who lays his
hand on others and those who receive the laying on of hands are united to one
(see 1Tim. 5:22); 2) The one who puts his hands on others delivers blessing to
the one who receive the laying on of hands (see 2Tim. 1:6).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
Lord did not despise our lowliness but also was willing to be united to the
humble ones and blessed us.
2)
“The
grown-up men” can only be blessed by the Lord who lays His hands on them
but
the “children” can be blessed by the Lord who takes them up in His arms to lay
His hands on them. Therefore
all those who are puffed up can not be taken up
in the Lord’s arms.
Mark. 10:17 “Now as He was going out on
the road
one came running
knelt before Him
and asked Him
"Good
Teacher
what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" ”
YLT: “And as he is going forth into the way
one having run
and having kneeled to him
was questioning him
`Good teacher
what may I do
that life age-during I may inherit?'”
Literal
Meaning:
“Now as He was going out on the road
one came running
knelt before Him”
it
was a young rich man (see Matt. 19:22). “Knelt before Him”
it showed his zeal
and godliness.
“Good Teacher”
this was
really an improper name
which indicated that he regarded Jesus as “teacher”
who taught others
not the “savior” who had saved all the people (see John
3:2).
“What shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?” ---- This question includes four meanings: a) he knew the
importance of “having eternal life”; b) he confessed there was no eternal life
in him; c) He thought that he would have eternal life by doing good things; d)
he did not know what good things he had to do in order to have eternal life.
“Have eternal life”
it
referred to “being saved” (see v.25)
namely
“having the eternal life of God”
so as to be delivered from the eternal perdition (see John. 3:16).
Mark. 10:18 “So Jesus said to him
"Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One
that is
God. ”
YLT: “And Jesus said to him
`Why me dost thou call good? no
one good except One -- God;”
Literal
Meaning:
“Why do you call Me good?” ---- It means that “if you think I am only a common
teacher
you shall not call me good”
because there is no man who is good.
“No one is good but One
that is
God.” ---- It means that there is none good except for God (see Rom. 3:10). The
Lord’s words did not show that He thought him sinful or He was the same as men
but showed that: a) God is the source of true goodness; b) man has no true
goodness without God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
A
worthless tree cannot produce good fruits (see Matt. 7:18). The world cannot do
something good through the evil nature.
2)
The
good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things (see Matt. 12:35).
However
only God is good. Therefore no matter what we have done
we can still
not be counted as good in God’s sight.
3)
That
except the righteousness of believers shall exceed the righteousness of the
Pharisees
we shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (see Matt.
5:20). Therefore
we should not only keep the commandments of the Old Testament
concerning morality but also keep the new commandments by the king of the
kingdom of heaven (Matt.5-7).
4)
No
one is good but God. No one can be saved by his good works
and only the
salvation of the Lord Jesus works.
5)
All
the works outside of the will and power of God are not “good” works. All the
works of believers should be out of God and through God.
Mark. 10:19 “You know the commandments:
"Do not commit adultery
' "Do not murder
' "Do not steal
'
"Do not bear false witness
' "Do not defraud
' "Honor your
father and your mother."' ”
YLT: “the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit
adultery
Thou mayest do no murder
Thou mayest not steal
Thou mayest not bear
false witness
Thou mayest not defraud
Honour thy father and mother.'”
Meaning
of Words: “honor”:
respect;
Literal
Meaning:
“you know the commandments”. ---- The Lord here mentioned the “commandments” in
order to enlighten him about two things: a) the commandments show God’s love
and His holy and righteous disposition; b) he had to know his incapacity from
the failure that men were totally unable to keep the commandments
thus
realizing that men could not have eternal life by doing good.
“Do not defraud”. It might refer to the
tenth commandment of the Ten Commandments ---- “One shall neither desire his
neighbor's house
nor wife
nor anything that is his neighbor’s”. If it was so
the six points mentioned by the Lord here had included all the commandments
concerning interpersonal relationship in the Ten Commandments (see Ex.
20:12-17; Deut. 5:16-21).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Though
believers in the New Testament do not need to keep the commandments concerning
the ceremonies in the Old Testament
we should still keep the commandments of
morality.
2)
In
the church we should keep spiritual commandments: a) do not spread the factor
of death ---- murder; b) do not bring the world into the church ---- commit
adultery; c) do not usurp the glory of God ---- steal; d) do not bear witness
to things outside of Christ ---- bear false witness; e) do not defraud brothers
---- defraud; f) magnify the Lord ---- honor the father and the mother.
Mark. 10:20 “And he answered and said to
Him
"Teacher
all these things I have kept from my youth." ”
YLT: “And he answering said to him
`Teacher
all these did I
keep from my youth.'”
Literal
Meaning:
unfortunately
this young man had not seen his incapacity and thought he had
kept them all. Actually
he could at most keep the commandments in letters and
yet unavoidably sinned against the commandments in spirit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Those
who think themselves righteous are living in darkness indeed. They cannot see
their transgressions.
2)
As
long as someone has offended in the least commandment of the Law
he is guilty
of all (see James. 2:10).
Mark. 10:21 “Then Jesus
looking at him
loved him
and said to him
"One thing you lack: Go your way
sell
whatever you have and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come
take up the cross
and follow Me." ”
YLT: “And Jesus having looked upon him
did love him
and
said to him
`One thing thou dost lack; go away
whatever thou hast -- sell
and give to the poor
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven
and come
be
following me
having taken up the cross.'”
Literal Meaning: here the Lord raised the strictest claim to show his imperfectness.
“One thing you lack”
it
implied that he was not “perfect” then ---- even if men have kept all the
commandments
they are still imperfect in the sight of the Lord.
“Go your way
sell whatever you have”
it showed that “what he had” was the clear proof of his imperfectness
so he
had to “sell” what he had.
“And give to the poor”
if he could
not “give what he had to the poor”
it proved that he couldn’t “love his
neighbor as himself” (see Matt. 19:20).
“And you will have treasure in
heaven”
it indicated that what he had now was only on the earth and he had
nothing in heaven.
“And come and follow Me”
it implied
that even though he had given all that he had to the poor
he might still keep
the poor only
not the Lord Jesus in his heart (see 14:7). Therefore he had to
“follow the Lord”
i.e. he had to love the Lord more than all (see Matt.
10:37-38).
According to the context
this verse
is not a general rule that demands a poor life of every Christian. The Lord
with a purpose of asking the young man to do in this way
intended to let him
know he had indeed not kept all the commandments (see v.20) and realize that
men could not have eternal life through doing good (see v.17).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
This
verse was the general outline of the law: “go
sell what you have and give to
the poor”
namely
“to love your neighbor as yourselves”. “Come
follow Me”
that is
“to love the Lord your God”.
2)
The
Lord demands more and more: a) “go and sell” ---- it is easy for general
believers to sell the possession for money (see Acts. 5:1); b) “give to the
poor” ---- it is very difficult; c) “come
follow Me” ---- it is more
difficult
because what goes out of oneself is the worldly possessions but what
follows is “the whole person”.
3)
The
Lord asked the young man to sell what he had and then follow the Lord
showing
that what we had was always an obstacle to follow the Lord.
4)
Believers
should not only be concerned about their own needs but also care for that of
others. Look not every man on his own things
but every man also on the things
of others. (Pill. 2:4).
5)
One
shall remove the obstacles to walk in the way of life and follow the Lord
ahead.
6)
“And
come and follow Me”
some people may devote all his possession (see 1Cor. 13:3)
for the sake of some lofty ideal
but not give himself to be a follower of the
Lord. Such kind of “selling all that one has” profits him nothing.
7)
The
Lord
on account of “loving” him
touched his greatest difficulty in the depths
of his heart ---- his possessions. When the Lord touches the greatest
difficulty deep inside us
it is just the time that He loves us most and that
He will do the work of love on us.
Mark. 10:22 “But he was sad at this
word
and went away sorrowful
for he had great possessions.”
YLT: “And he -- gloomy at the word -- went away sorrowing
for he was having many possessions.”
Meaning
of Words: “be
sad”: render gloomy
be overcast with clouds;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Anyone
who keeps something for himself and is unwilling to follow the Lord will lead a
sorrowful life.
2)
Even
little children
through grace
could be blessed by Lord who laid His hands on
them (see v.16). However
someone who had kept all the commandments through
deeds (see v.20) went away sorrowfully in the end.
3)
The
more possessions one has
the greedier he will be. Such situation can also be
applied in spiritual things ---- if one stresses on spiritual possessions
besides the Lord such as eloquence
knowledge
and gifts
he will be suffered
by sorrowful consequence.
4)
Those
who love treasure more than the Lord make themselves sorrowful. However those
who love the Lord more than all have the fullness of joyful
though they have
lost their goods (see Heb. 10:34).
5)
Great
possessions may hold men back from following the Lord. Not only material
sufficiency but also spiritual complacency will hold men back from receiving
grace.
6)
Though
that young man had come to Christ
he did not obtain Christ. If we can neither
forsake all things “what things were gain to me” ---- spiritual achievements in
the past
nor seek Christ earnestly
probably we can still not fully obtain
Christ (see Pill. 3:7
12).
7)
Earthly
things and heavenly things cannot be mixed together. If believers are reluctant
to give up the earthly and worldly things
they will not be able to enjoy
heavenly and spiritually riches.
8)
Whenever
you meet the Lord
the Lord must demand you of something. If we have not
answered the Lord
or are unwilling to pay the cost
there will be two results:
(a) as for us
we will go away sorrowfully. (b) As for the Lord
He cannot be
manifest through us.
Mark. 10:23 “Then Jesus looked around
and said to His disciples
"How hard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God!" ”
YLT: “And Jesus having looked round
saith to his disciples
`How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the reign of God!'”
Literal
Meaning:
“how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” ---- On
one hand
to be born from above is the prerequisite for entering the kingdom of
God (see John. 3:3
5). And as long as we believe in the Lord
we will be born
from above. Therefore it is not difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom
of heaven. On the other hand
the Lord told the rich man that the prerequisite
for him of entering the kingdom of God was to “sell what he has and give to the
poor
come and follow Him”. Therefore
“to enter the kingdom of heaven” here is
not equal to “having eternal life” or “being saved”. “Entering the kingdom of
heaven” means that believers must live in the reality of the kingdom of heaven
in this age and seek to be a true people of the kingdom of heaven
and will
gain the glory of the kingdom when the Lord comes back. In that sense
it is
indeed difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom.
Spiritual
Meaning:
the spiritual definition of “those who have riches” is those who own something
besides the Lord and yet are unwilling to deny themselves or lose the
enjoyments of soul for the sake of the Lord (see Matt. 16:24-25).
Mark. 10:24 “And the disciples were
astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them
"Children
how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the
kingdom of God! ”
YLT: “And the disciples were astonished at his words
and
Jesus again answering saith to them
`Children
how hard is it to those
trusting on the riches to enter into the reign of God!”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
men cannot enter the kingdom of God through money. The love or attachment for
wealth will prevent a man
even a poor man
from entering the kingdom of God.
Mark. 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of
God." ”
YLT: “It is easier for a camel through the eye of the needle
to enter
than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.'”
The
Background:
“to go through the eye of a needle
” there was often another smaller door
besides the city gate of the Jews in the old days. The small door was called
“the door of the eye of a needle”. During the day
the city gate was open for
the coming in and going out of men and goods. At dusk
the city gate would be
closed and only the door of the eye of a needle was open. That smaller door was
so small that only “man” was allowed to come in and go out. Therefore
if there
came camels carrying goods
man had to firstly unload the goods and made the
camels incline and crawl and then pushed and drew them so that the camels would
pass the door. Later
“a camel to go through the eye of a needle” had become a
common saying to describe that something is very difficult and yet is not
absolutely impossible.
Literal
Meaning:
some Bible exegetes thought the above-mentioned background brought down the
difficulty of entering the kingdom of God and seemed to excessively adapt to
the infirmity of humanity. They said “camel” was the greatest animal in
Palestine. “The eye of a needle” was the smallest channel known by men. “A
camel to go through the eye of a needle”
it showed that “it was totally
impossible to men” (v.27).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Though
it is difficult for rich men to enter the kingdom of heaven
it is not
absolutely impossible. “Camel”
a kind of animal that carries goods
represents
treasure ---- as long as one is willing to dedicate his treasure to the Lord
he can enter therein.
2)
Though
it is difficult for the great camel to go through the small eye of a needle
as
long as the principle of cross is applied ---- to deny oneself
burn self into
ashes and come to naught ---- it will be possible to pass through.
Mark. 10:26 “And they were greatly
astonished
saying among themselves
"Who then can be saved?" ”
YLT: “And they were astonished beyond measure
saying unto
themselves
`And who is able to be saved?'”
Literal
Meaning:
there were at least two kinds of faults of the disciples: a) they equated being
saved with entering the kingdom of God; b) they thought wealth could help men
to earn the right of entering the kingdom of God
since the treasure was a
token of God’s blessing to righteous men (see Deut. 28:1-12).
Strictly speaking
“being saved” is a
synonym of “inheriting the eternal life” (v.17)
but is different from
“entering the kingdom of God” (v.23). Believers who have been saved have
already inherited the eternal life
so they have obtained the basic requirement
of “entering the kingdom of God” (see John 3:3
5). Moreover
believers should
also let the Lord reign in them thoroughly so that they will enter the kingdom
of God actually
namely
they live in the reality of kingdom of God.
Mark. 10:27 “But Jesus looked at them
and said
"With men it is impossible
but not with God; for with God all
things are possible." ”
YLT: “And Jesus
having looked upon them
saith
`With men it
is impossible
but not with God; for all things are possible with God.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
young man thought it was impossible for man to enter the kingdom of heaven (see
v.22)
so did the disciples (see v.26). Even the Lord Himself also proved that
“with men this is impossible”. It is impossible for men to enter the kingdom of
God by themselves.
2)
“With
God all things are possible.” ---- God can change the impossibility of men into
possibility. God’s way is to give Himself to men and strengthen them and enable
men to “have strength for all things” (see Pill. 4:13).
3)
“With
men it is impossible”
it declares the uselessness of men’s deeds. “But with
God all things are possible”
it shows the fullness of God’s grace. Only by
faith instead of deeds can we be saved (see Eph. 2:8-9).
4)
After
we have been saved
we have to rely on God’s “almightiness” to do good works
(see Eph. 2:10) so that we can indeed live in the reality of the kingdom of
heaven (see 2Pet. 1:10-11).
5)
In
the eyes of men
it is difficult for some people who have not believed the Lord
to be saved. However
it is possible in the eyes of God. Therefore
we should
not rashly give up anyone. Because when God works in men
even those whose
hearts are most hardened will be saved.
Mark. 10:28 “Then Peter began to say to
Him
"See
we have left all and followed You." ”
YLT: “And Peter began to say to him
`Lo
we left all
and we
followed thee.'”
Literal
Meaning:
Peter meant that since we “had left something”
we would obtain something in
future and that would be reasonable. Though it was not wrong
it carried the
nature of exchange and its motive not noble enough.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Peter’s
“see” showed his “possession”. He is “a spiritually rich man” and really has
something to boast.
2)
The
reason why we can leave something to follow the Lord is God’s attraction
working and strengthening. Therefore we should glorify God.
Mark. 10:29 “So Jesus answered and said
"Assuredly
I say to you
there is no one who has left house or brothers
or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands
for My sake and
the gospel's
”
YLT: “And Jesus answering said
`Verily I say to you
there
is no one who left house
or brothers
or sisters
or father
or mother
or
wife
or children
or fields
for my sake
and for the good news'
”
Meaning
of Words: “leave”: abandan
forsake
lay aside
let alone;
Mark. 10:30 “who shall not receive a
hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and
children and lands
with persecutions--and in the age to come
eternal life.”
YLT: “who may not receive an hundredfold now in this time
houses
and brothers
and sisters
and mothers
and children
and fields
with
persecutions
and in the age that is coming
life age-during;”
Literal
Meaning:
“who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time”
it means one shall
receive full enjoyment and joy in this age. Brothers and sisters in the Lord
are as intimate as one’s own family members and they can share their
possessions with others.
“And in the age to come
eternal life”
it refers to obtaining the blessings of the everlasting life in the coming age
(see Luke. 18:30).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
spiritual principle is to forsake first and receive afterwards.
2)
The
reward of the kingdom is both in this age and the coming age.
3)
The
reward of the kingdom of heaven is a “hundredfold”. This reward is Christ
Himself
for Christ is fully perfect.
4)
He
who has abandoned something for the sake of the Lord will obtain abundant
reward and shall also “be suffered from persecutions”. The way of the cross is
the predestinated way for those who follow the Lord.
5)
Tribulation
(“persecutions”) is also a kind of spiritual inheritance. The blessings of
believers can be obtained in tribulations. Therefore
we shall also boast in tribulations (see Rom. 5:3).
Mark. 10:31 “But many who are first will
be last
and the last first." ”
YLT: “and many first shall be last
and the last first.'”
Literal
Meaning:
“but many who are first will be last”
it was a word of warning. The word “but”
indicated that it was a warning given to Peter of his self-complacence towards
his present state (see v.27). If men boast or show off what they have left for
the Lord
they will “be last”.
“The last first”
it is a word of
encouragement. Though one may be last in the beginning
it cannot determine the
consequence. Therefore it is still possible to turn to be first.
This was a common saying at that time.
Some bible exegetes thought that the Lord used it here to show that God’s
priority of urgency was different from men’s thoughts. Peter put what men could
do first ---- “we have left all” (v.28) and what God would give behind. But the
Lord Jesus set it in a reverse order: the Lord’s calling and mission were put
first ----“for My sake and the gospel's”
and what men would receive followed
behind ---- “a hundredfold”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Even
though those who ran well (see Gal. 5:7) have no the spirit of pride
if they
slack off and do not try their best to run (see Pill. 3:13-14
Heb. 12:1)
they
will still fall behind.
2)
In
order to earn the reward of the kingdom we should try our best to run (1Cor.
9:24) and finish the race (2Tim. 4:7)
then we may be “first”.
3)
Our
duty is to run and the Lord is the one who judges who is first or last.
Mark. 10:32 “Now they were on the road
going up to Jerusalem
and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed.
And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and
began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: ”
YLT: “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem
and
Jesus was going before them
and they were amazed
and following they were
afraid. And having again taken the twelve
he began to tell them the things
about to happen to him
”
Literal
Meaning:
“they were amazed”
the reason why the disciples felt amazed might be that they
Lord went before them
which was not customary. It was also probable that they
knew Jerusalem was a stronghold against the Lord
where was full of evil
political power and fool religious power. Therefore
they were afraid of
raising violent conflict there.
Mark. 10:33 “"Behold
we are going
up to Jerusalem
and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and
to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the
Gentiles; ”
YLT: “-- `Lo
we go up to Jerusalem
and the Son of Man shall
be delivered to the chief priests
and to the scribes
and they shall condemn
him to death
and shall deliver him to the nations
”
Literal
Meaning:
“they will condemn Him to death”
it shows that Jesus was not murdered in
secret
but was condemned and sentenced to death through open interrogations.
“Deliver Him to the Gentiles”
“the
Gentiles” referred to the Romans. Jesus was condemned to death by the Roman
governor Pontius Pilate and then was crucified (see 15:1-15).
The disciples thought that the Lord
Jesus went up to Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy of the kingdom of Messiah
(Zech. 9
Acts. 1:6) and He would reign there
so they argued for status among
them (see 9:33-34). However
the Lord said that He went up to Jerusalem for
death
but the disciples had not heard His words (see 35-41).
Spiritual
Meaning:
“the chief priests and the scribes” were the Jews
representing men or
believers in religious circles; “the Gentiles” in this verse indicated men in
political circles or the world. Both of them would become our suffering and
cross.
Mark. 10:34 “and they will mock Him
and
scourge Him
and spit on Him
and kill Him. And the third day He will rise
again." ”
YLT: “and they shall mock him
and scourge him
and spit on
him
and kill him
and the third day he shall rise again.'”
Literal
Meaning:
“and they will mock Him
and scourge Him
and spit on Him”
before being
crucified
Jesus was scourged by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and was
mocked and scourged by Roman soldiers (see 15:15-20).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
Lord guided the disciples all the way and often mentioned the cross to them
(see 8:31; 9:31)
showing that the Lord’s way was always pointing to the cross.
2)
If
we could see the glory of the cross
surpassing the suffering of it
we will
joyfully run the way that is set before us fearlessly.
3)
There
must be suffering before glory (Rom. 8:17); the death before resurrection
(1Cor. 15:36). The cross is the way of being highly exalted (Pill. 2:8-9). This
is the model left by the Lord Jesus for us.
4)
The
more sufferings one suffers
the more consolations of the Lord one will receive
(2Cor. 1:5). The more one is delivered to death
the more the Lord’s life of
resurrection will be manifested in him (2Cor. 4:11).
Mark. 10:35 “Then James and John
the
sons of Zebedee
came to Him
saying
"Teacher
we want You to do for us
whatever we ask." ”
YLT: “And there come near to him James and John
the sons of
Zebedee
saying
`Teacher
we wish that whatever we may ask for ourselves
thou
mayest do for us;'”
Literal
Meaning:
“James and John
the sons of Zebedee”
their mother might be the aunt (Salome)
of Jesus according to the flesh (see 15:40; Matt. 27:56; John. 19:25).
Mark. 10:36 “And He said to them
"What do you want Me to do for you?" ”
YLT: “and he said to them
`What do ye wish me to do for
you?'”
Mark. 10:37 “They said to Him
"Grant us that we may sit
one on Your right hand and the other on Your
left
in Your glory." ”
YLT: “and they said to him
`Grant to us that
one on thy
right hand and one on thy left
we may sit in thy glory;'”
Literal
Meaning:
they asked the Lord for the seats on the right and left hand of the Lord
the
status second only to that of the Lord in the kingdom. Obviously
all those who
followed the Lord at that time held that He went up to Jerusalem to drive away
the Romans and establish the kingdom of Messiah and reign in glory.
Mark. 10:38 “But Jesus said to them
"You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink
and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" ”
YLT: “and Jesus said to them
`Ye have not known what ye ask;
are ye able to drink of the cup that I drink of
and with the baptism that I am
baptized with -- to be baptized?'”
Spiritual
Meaning:
“the cup that I am about to drink”
“cup” is the inheritance measured by God
for us (see Ps. 16:5-6). God sent Jesus into the world to take away the sin of
the world and bear the punishments that we are supposed to take (see Is.
53:4-6). Therefore the cup that He was about to drink was the cup of fury of
God (see 14:36
Is. 51:17)
namely
the sufferings of the cross.
“The baptism that I am baptized with”
“baptism” was a synonym of “cup”. Both of them symbolized the suffering He
would suffer. The “cup” emphasized the inside suffering
and the “baptism”
referred to the outside suffering. “Baptism” meant being suffered by troubles.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Many
times
we do not know what we really ask in prayers.
2)
If
we ask “something” from Him concerning the status
the Lord will reprove us
that
“you do not know what you ask”.
3)
The
Lord’s word indicated that the status in the kingdom had something to do with
drinking the cup of the Lord and being baptized with the Lord’s baptism. He who
obeys the will of God the Father and is willing to experience the suffering of
the cross can be exalted in the kingdom.
4)
Men
may usually ask for glory first
but do not ask for the cup of suffering first.
He who asks for glory only without asking the cup of suffering does not know
what he asks.
Mark. 10:39 “They said to Him
"We
are able." So Jesus said to them
"You will indeed drink the cup that
I drink
and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;”
YLT: “And they said to him
`We are able;' and Jesus said to
them
`Of the cup indeed that I drink of
ye shall drink
and with the baptism
that I am baptized with
ye shall be baptized;”
Literal
Meaning:
“they said to Him
‘we are able’”
it was because they did not know themselves
(see Matt. 26:31
56).
“You will indeed drink My cup”
they
indeed suffered for the sake of the Lord ---- James was martyred for the Lord
(Acts. 12:1)
and John was exiled to the island called Patmos (Rev. 1:9).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
through many tribulations
we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts. 14:22).
Mark. 10:40 “but to sit on My right hand
and on My left is not Mine to give
but it is for those for whom it is
prepared." ”
YLT: “but to sit on my right and on my left
is not mine to
give
but -- to those for whom it hath been prepared.'”
Literal
Meaning:
“but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give”
the Lord
on
the status of the Son of Man here
respected the sovereignty of God the Father
and put all in the hand of the Father without any His own favor or inclination.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
reward of the status in the kingdom of God was not based on physical
relationship
but the will of God the Father.
2)
Just
like the race on the playground
everyone has the opportunity of gaining the
reward. However
who will obtain the reward will be determined by their
performance
not being fixed previously.
3)
The
Lord said that we should drink the cup and the status shall be given by the
Father
showing that:
a) The Lord only sought the
will of the Father ---- He was willing to drink the cup of the cross without
regarding His own gain or loss.
b) We should know the
principle of grace ---- the status is not exchanged by the cup
but the reward
of God.
Mark. 10:41 “And when the ten heard it
they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. ”
YLT: “And the ten having heard
began to be much displeased
at James and John
”
Literal
Meaning:
it proved that the twelve disciples
without exception
strived with each other
that who should be held to be the greatest (see 9:34). None of them were
willing to make a concession to others
and they were even jealous of and angry
with each other.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
if we live in the flesh
we may provoke and envy one another (see Gal. 5:19-21
26).
Mark. 10:42 “But Jesus called them to
Himself and said to them
"You know that those who are considered rulers
over the Gentiles lord it over them
and their great ones exercise
authority over them. ”
YLT: “but Jesus having called them near
saith to them
`Ye
have known that they who are considered to rule the nations do exercise
lordship over them
and their great ones do exercise authority upon them;”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
spirit of the world likes to be the greatest
exercise the authority over
others and dominate others.
2)
In
the earthly kingdom
all the positions are set to rule others.
Mark. 10:43 “Yet
it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you
shall be your servant.”
YLT: “but not so shall it be among you; but whoever may will
to become great among you
he shall be your minister
”
Meaning
of Words: “servant”:
deacon
minister;
Literal
Meaning:
“Yet it shall not be so among you”
it does not mean believers do not respect
the authority on the earth
but that believers have different view toward the
spiritual authority.
“But whoever desires to become great
among you”
“become great”
it means being greater than common people. It
indicates that the Lord does not forbid men from being great. Men can desire to
be great (see 1Tim. 3:1)
but the way of being great was totally different from
that in the world.
“Shall be your servant”
“servant”
it
refers to the worker who serves others. It indicates that being great in the
church is not exercising authority over others (see v.42)
but serving others.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Yet
it shall not be so among you”
men in the world lust for high status to
exercise authority over others. This spirit should never be infiltrated into
the church.
2)
In
the heavenly kingdom
all the positions are set to serve
look after
perfect
and shepherd others (1Pet. 5:1-3
Acts. 20:28
Eph. 4:11).
3)
Seriously
in the kingdom (church)
there is no difference in positions
but there are
differences in gifts
administrations and operations (Rom. 12:4
1Cor. 12:4-6).
4)
In
the kingdom
the one who is greater may have less freedom. On the contrary
the
more one humbles himself and suffers
the less the free will he has
the
greater he will be manifested.
5)
“Servant”
is the same with “minister” in the original------the minister in the church is
service-oriented.
Mark. 10:44 “And whoever of you desires
to be first shall be slave of all.”
YLT: “and whoever of you may will to become first
he shall
be servant of all;”
Literal
Meaning:
“be first”: foremost; “slave”: a bondman who has lost his decision-making
power.
Mark. 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served
but to serve
and to give His life
a ransom for many." ”
YLT: “for even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to
but to minister
and to give his life a ransom for many.'”
Meaning
of Words: “life”:
soul;
Literal
Meaning:
“a ransom for many”
the word “for” in the original was a preposition
stressing on the redemptive nature of Christ’s death. “Many”
Christ gave
Himself a ransom for all (1Tim. 2:6). Salvation is for “all” but only “many”
(i.e. “believers”) have received. According to the usage in the original
the
word “ransom” usually refers to the money for redeeming slaves. In like manner
Christ gave His life as a ransom to deliver us from the bondage of sin.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Just
as the Son of Man did come”
it showed that the Lord did not just say in vain
---- He did not only demand others only but not demand Himself. The Lord set a
good example with His conduct. Those who are spiritual leaders in the church
have to match their words with deeds.
2)
The
Lord is the greatest
but He did not come to be served
but to serve and even
gave His life to others (Pill. 2:8) so that many would be saved.
3)
The
Lord wanted us to learn from His example ---- do not mind status but serve
others with whole heart. The highest and greatest service is to let our
“selves” be crucified.
4)
All
those who are willing to receive the death of the cross and deny the soul life
(“give…life”) and provide men with Christ (“serve”) will be glorified with
Christ together (see Rom. 8:17).
Mark. 10:46 “Now they came to Jericho.
As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude
blind Bartimaeus
the son of Timaeus
sat
by the road begging. ”
YLT: “And they come to Jericho
and as he is going forth from
Jericho
with his disciples and a great multitude
a son of Timaeus --
Bartimaeus the blind -- was sitting beside the way begging
”
The
Background:
“as He went out of Jericho”
in the Gospel of Luke
it happened when Jesus came
nigh unto Jericho (see Luke. 18:35). We should know the background of the city
of Jericho so as to understand the reason of this discrepancy. There was a new
Jericho and an old one at that time. The former was built by Herod the Great
and there was a way connecting these two cities. Mark recorded the time when
Jesus went out of the old Jericho
Luke mentioned the time when Jesus came nigh
unto the new Jericho. Therefore there was no contradiction between them.
“Jericho”
it was a land which had been
cursed (see Josh. 6:26).
Spiritual
Meaning:
shortly after the matter that the disciples wanted to be the greatest
the book
recorded that the Lord healed the two blind men ---- it has its spiritual
meaning. In other words
the blind man represented the disciples. Since the
disciples were blind
they did not know the things about the kingdom of God and
strived to be the greatest with each other. Here the Lord healed them.
“Blind”
it refers to the one who lacks enlightenment and revelation in
darkness neither knows God nor himself.
“Sat by the road”
it means man no longer grows up in life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Bartimaeus “begged”
for he was a
“blind man”. All those who are dark in spirit and are lacking in revelation
cannot receive provision from the Lord directly and only have to beg for
provision.
2)
Following
the Lord is the way for one to be blessed. However men cannot follow the Lord
because of blindness
only “sitting by the road”. This is a picture of men’s
poor condition in darkness.
Mark. 10:47 “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth
he began to cry out and
say
"Jesus
Son of David
have mercy on me!" ”
YLT: “and having heard that it is Jesus the Nazarene
he
began to cry out
and to say
`The Son of David -- Jesus! deal kindly with
me;'”
Literal
Meaning:
“the Son of David”
it is a name used by the Jews for the Messiah. They hoped
that the Messiah would come to save them and remove the suffering of the world
(see Is. 9:7
Jer. 23:5-6).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Though
Bartimaeus could not “see”
he could “hear”. Once he had heard that it was
Jesus of Nazareth
he caught the chance to call the Lord
so he got the grace.
2)
Thank
the Lord! He makes us hear the gospel and know that He is “Jesus” (it means
“Jehovah the salvation” and “the salvation of Jehovah” in the original) and the
Son of David (it means that He is the coming Messiah). Therefore we cry out to
Him.
Mark. 10:48 “Then many warned him to be
quiet; but he cried out all the more
"Son of David
have mercy on
me!" ”
YLT: “and many were rebuking him
that he might keep silent
but the more abundantly he cried out
`Son of David
deal kindly with me.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
prayer of seeking to be able to see may often be
forbidden by men. However the more one is forbidden
the more urgently he asks.
In this way he will be blessed.
2)
If
one seeks revelation in prayer
one should seek urgently regardless of all the
difficulties and blocks
and thus he will receive what he has asked.
Mark. 10:49 “So Jesus stood still and
commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man
saying to him
"Be of good cheer. Rise
He is calling you."
”
YLT: “And Jesus having stood
he commanded him to be called
and they call the blind man
saying to him
`Take courage
rise
he doth call
thee;'”
Meaning
of Words: “be
of good cheer”: have courage;
Mark. 10:50 “And throwing
aside his garment
he rose and came to Jesus.”
YLT: “and he
having cast away his garment
having risen
did
come unto Jesus.”
Spiritual
Meaning:
“throwing aside his garment”
it symbolizes that one casts his poor and corrupt
acts in the past.
Mark. 10:51 “So Jesus answered and said
to him
"What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to
Him
"Rabboni
that I may receive my sight." ”
YLT: “And answering
Jesus saith to him
`What wilt thou I
may do to thee?' and the blind man said to him
`Rabboni
that I may see
again;'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“What
do you want Me to do for you?” ---- One should have a clear purpose in prayer.
2)
We
may pray generally
aimlessly or even ask amiss (James. 4:3) without knowing
what we ask (see v.38)
and that is why our prayers are not answered.
3)
To
ask for spiritual sight is the beginning of running the heavenly way (2Cor.
4:6
Eph. 1:18
Acts. 26:18).
4)
Though
the blind men had not seen the Lord
they had “heard” Him and immediately they
cried out unto the Lord that “their eyes may be opened”. When we read the
Bible
we may not receive the revelation nor understand the Lord’s words
suddenly
but receive the revelation after we hear the
Lord’s words and cry out unto the Lord for enlightenment.
Mark. 10:52 “Then Jesus said to him
"Go your way; your faith has made you well."
And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. ”
YLT: “and Jesus said to him
`Go
thy faith hath saved thee:'
and immediately he saw again
and was following Jesus in the way.”
Literal
Meaning:
“your faith has made you well”
he believed that the Lord had healed him. It
was not self-confidence
but faith in God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
two blind men “sat by the road” (see v.46) before
their eyes were opened now
and then followed the Lord on the way. If a man wants to run the way
he has to
receive sight first.
2)
True
“touching” brings in true “sight”
and true “sight” will bring in the true
“following”.
3)
He
who is blind does not know the preciousness of the Lord and therefore he is
reluctant to give up what that he has to follow the Lord (see v. 21-22).
However
if one’s eyes of heart are opened
he will regard the Lord as
excellent
suffer the loss of all for Him (Pill. 3:8) and follow the Lord on
the way of the cross willingly.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The
Teaching of the Lord About Divorcement
A.
The explanation of the origin of the command of divorce
---- the
hardness of one’s heart (v.1-5);
B.
He brought men to the beginning to see God’s will to make
marriage ---- the
husband and the wife shall become one flesh (v.6-7).
C.
Divorce
destroys what God has joined (v.8-9).
D.
If
the husband or the wife divorces the other part and marries another
he or she commits adultery (v.10-12).
The
Lord’s Attitudes and Demands of the Lord Toward Various Kinds of Men
A.
To the Pharisees who tried Him ---- He refused to
sacrifice the truth t compromise with them (v.1-12).
B.
To the disciples who lacked love ---- He set an example
of love (v.13-16).
C.
To the young rich man who thought he had fully kept the
whole laws ---- He pointed that the spirit of the laws was that one shall love
his neighbor as himself (v.17-22).
D.
To those who felt to enter the kingdom of God was
difficult ---- with men it is impossible
but with God all things are
possible
(v.23-27).
E.
To
those who denied themselves to follow Him ---- He showed clearly that they
would receive a hundredfold blessing (v.28-31).
The Conditions for Entering the Kingdom of God
A.
One
shall be converted and become as little children (v.13-16).
B.
One
shall not be possessed by wealth (v.17-27).
With
Men It Is Impossible
But With God All Things Are Possible
A.
Man thinks he can only partake in heavenly blessings
through his own strength (a grown man) (v.13-16).
B.
Man believes that to do good will receive the reward of
eternal life (v.17).
C.
Man thinks that he has fulfilled all the requirements of
God (v.18-20).
D.
All that man has have even prevented men from receiving
heavenly blessings (v.21-22).
E.
One shall give up his own struggle and confide in God
completely (v.23-27).
F.
He who has left all will receive all that of God as the
full reward (v.28-31).
The
Faults of the Young Rich Man and the Lord’s Correction to Him (v.17-22)
A. He
thought wrongly that the Lord was only a “good” teacher ---- the Lord let him
see that only God is “good”.
B.
He thought wrongly that “doing good” could inherit the
eternal life ---- the Lord raised the command of the laws to make him see that
men could never “do good” perfectly.
C.
He thought wrongly that he had already kept the laws
“perfectly” ---- the Lord put forward the requirements of being perfect to let
him see he had not been “perfect” yet.
The Conditions of Receiving the Reward of the Lord
A. One
shall leave all for the sake of the Lord (v.28-30);
B.
One shall still strive to run the race (v.31).
C.
One shall walk in the way of the cross (v.v.32-34).
D.
One shall rely on the mercy of God (v.35-41).
E.
One shall serve others humbly (v.42-45).
F.
One’s eyes shall be opened and
follow the Lord till the end (v.46-52).
The
Status in the Kingdom of Heaven
A.
Those who ask the status in the kingdom of heaven do not
know what they ask (v.35
B.
Before receiving the status of the kingdom of heaven
one
has to drink the “cup” (v.38b-39).
C.
The status of the kingdom of heaven ---- it is for those
for whom it is prepared by the Father (v.40-41).
D.
The status in the world is that those who are great
exercises authority over those who are low
but the status in the kingdom of
heaven is not so (v.42
E.
The status of the kingdom of heaven is that whoever
desires to be great or first let him be servant and slave for all (v. 43b-44).
F.
The status of the kingdom of heaven is not to be served
by others but to serve others (v
G.
The status of the kingdom of heaven is to “give his life”
to serve others (v.45b).
The Blind Man Received the
Sight
A.
The
pity of the blind man ---- he sat by the road (v.46);
B.
The
gospel for the blind man ---- he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth (v
C.
The
reaction of the blind man ---- he began to cry out and say (v.47b);
D.
The
persistence of the blind man ---- he cried out all the
more (v.48);
E.
The
calling for the blind man ---- He is calling you (v.49);
F.
The
understanding of the blind man ---- “throwing aside his garment”
which means
do not relying on his deeds (v.50);
G.
The
demand of blind man ---- that I may receive my sight
(v.51);
H.
The
salvation for the blind man ---- your faith has made you well (v
I.
The
change of the blind man ---- immediately he received his sight (v.52b);
J.
The
way of the blind man ---- he followed Jesus on the road (v
The
Reason Why the Blind Man Obtained the Grace
A.
He caught the opportunity ---- when he heard that it
was Jesus of Nazareth
he began to cry out and say….
(v.47).
B.
He
was regardless of those who hindered him ---- many warned him to be quiet; but
he cried out all the more … (v.48).
C.
He
asked for the Lord directly ---- the blind man said
“Rabboni
that I may receive
my sight.” (v.51)
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou