Mark 10:1-16

Christian Standard Bible

The Question of Divorce

10 He^(A) set out from there and went to the region of Judea^(B) and across the Jordan.^(C) Then crowds converged on him again, and as was his custom he taught^(D) them again.

² Some Pharisees^(E) came to test^(F) him, asking, “Is it lawful^(G) for a man to divorce^(H) his wife?” ^(I)

³ He replied to them, “What did Moses^(J) command you?”

⁴ They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers^(K) and send her away.”^(L)

⁵ But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. ^{(M) 6} But from the beginning^(N) of creation^(O) God^[a] made them male and female.^{[b](P) 7} For this reason a man will leave ^(Q) his father and mother ^{[c] 8} and the two will become one flesh.^[d](R) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”^(S)

¹⁰ When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter. ¹¹ He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife^(T) and marries^(U) another commits adultery^(V) against her. ¹² Also, if she divorces her husband^(W) and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Blessing the Children

¹³ People^(X) were bringing little children^(Y) to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked^(Z) them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw it, he was indignant^(AA) and said to them, “Let the little children come to me.^(AB) Don’t stop^(AC) them, because the kingdom of God^(AD) belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you,^(AE) whoever does not receive^[e](AF) the kingdom of God like a little child^(AG) will never enter it.” ¹⁶ After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on^(AH) them and blessed^(AI) them.