El divorcio(A)

10 Jesús partió de aquel lugar y se fue a la región de Judea y al otro lado del Jordán. Otra vez se reunieron las multitudes y, como era su costumbre, les enseñaba.

Algunos fariseos se acercaron y, para ponerlo a prueba, le preguntaron:

—¿Está permitido que un hombre se divorcie de su esposa?

—¿Qué les mandó Moisés? —respondió Jesús.

—Moisés permitió que un hombre le escribiera un certificado de divorcio y la despidiera —contestaron ellos.

—Ese mandamiento lo escribió Moisés para ustedes por lo obstinados que son[a] —respondió Jesús—. Pero al principio de la creación Dios “los creó hombre y mujer”.[b] “Por eso dejará el hombre a su padre y a su madre, se unirá a su mujer[c] y los dos llegarán a ser uno solo”.[d] Así que ya no son dos, sino uno solo. Por tanto, lo que Dios ha unido, que no lo separe el hombre.

10 Vueltos a casa, los discípulos preguntaron a Jesús sobre este asunto.

11 —El que se divorcia de su esposa y se casa con otra comete adulterio contra la primera —respondió—. 12 Y, si la mujer se divorcia de su esposo y se casa con otro, comete adulterio.

Jesús y los niños(B)

13 Empezaron a llevarle niños a Jesús para que los tocara, pero los discípulos reprendían a quienes los llevaban. 14 Cuando Jesús se dio cuenta, se indignó y dijo: «Dejen que los niños vengan a mí; no se lo impidan, porque el reino de Dios es de quienes son como ellos. 15 Les aseguro que el que no reciba el reino de Dios como un niño, de ninguna manera entrará en él». 16 Y después de abrazarlos, los bendecía poniendo las manos sobre ellos.

El joven rico(C)

17 Cuando Jesús estaba ya para irse, un hombre llegó corriendo y se arrodilló delante de él.

—Maestro bueno —le preguntó—, ¿qué debo hacer para heredar la vida eterna?

18 —¿Por qué me llamas bueno? —respondió Jesús—. Nadie es bueno sino solo Dios. 19 Ya sabes los mandamientos: “No mates, no cometas adulterio, no robes, no presentes falso testimonio, no defraudes, honra a tu padre y a tu madre”.[e]

20 —Maestro —dijo el hombre—, todo eso lo he cumplido desde que era joven.

21 Jesús lo miró con amor y añadió:

—Una sola cosa te falta: anda, vende todo lo que tienes y dáselo a los pobres, y tendrás tesoro en el cielo. Luego ven y sígueme.

22 Al oír esto, el hombre se desanimó y se fue triste porque tenía muchas riquezas.

23 Jesús miró alrededor y comentó a sus discípulos:

—¡Qué difícil es para los ricos entrar en el reino de Dios!

24 Los discípulos se asombraron de sus palabras.

—Hijos, ¡qué difícil es entrar[f] en el reino de Dios! —repitió Jesús—. 25 Le resulta más fácil a un camello pasar por el ojo de una aguja que a un rico entrar en el reino de Dios.

26 Los discípulos se asombraron aún más y decían entre sí: «Entonces, ¿quién podrá salvarse?».

27 —Para los hombres es imposible —aclaró Jesús, mirándolos fijamente—, pero no para Dios; de hecho, para Dios todo es posible.

28 —¿Qué de nosotros, que lo hemos dejado todo y te hemos seguido? —comenzó a decirle Pedro.

29 —Les aseguro —respondió Jesús— que todo el que por mi causa y la del evangelio haya dejado casa, hermanos, hermanas, madre, padre, hijos o terrenos 30 recibirá cien veces más ahora en este tiempo (casas, hermanos, hermanas, madres, hijos y terrenos, aunque con persecuciones); y en la edad venidera, la vida eterna. 31 Pero muchos de los primeros serán últimos y los últimos serán primeros.

Jesús predice de nuevo su muerte(D)

32 Iban de camino subiendo a Jerusalén y Jesús se les adelantó. Los discípulos estaban asombrados y los otros que venían detrás tenían miedo. De nuevo tomó aparte a los doce y comenzó a decirles lo que sucedería. 33 «Ahora vamos subiendo a Jerusalén y el Hijo del hombre será entregado a los jefes de los sacerdotes y a los maestros de la Ley. Ellos lo condenarán a muerte y lo entregarán a los gentiles. 34 Se burlarán de él, le escupirán, lo azotarán y lo matarán. Pero al tercer día resucitará».

La petición de Santiago y Juan(E)

35 Se acercaron Santiago y Juan, hijos de Zebedeo.

—Maestro —dijeron—, queremos que nos concedas lo que te vamos a pedir.

36 —¿Qué quieren que haga por ustedes?

37 —Concédenos que en tu glorioso reino uno de nosotros se siente a tu derecha y el otro a tu izquierda.

38 —Ustedes no saben lo que están pidiendo —respondió Jesús—. ¿Pueden acaso beber el trago amargo de la copa que yo bebo o pasar por la prueba del bautismo con el que voy a ser bautizado?

39 Ellos dijeron:

—Sí, podemos.

—Ustedes beberán de la copa que yo bebo —respondió Jesús— y pasarán por la prueba del bautismo con el que voy a ser bautizado, 40 pero el sentarse a mi derecha o a mi izquierda no me corresponde concederlo. Eso ya está decidido.[g]

41 Cuando lo oyeron los otros diez, se indignaron con Santiago y Juan. 42 Así que Jesús los llamó y dijo:

—Como ustedes saben, los que se consideran gobernantes de las naciones oprimen al pueblo y los altos oficiales abusan de su autoridad. 43 Pero entre ustedes no debe ser así. Al contrario, el que quiera hacerse grande entre ustedes deberá ser su servidor, 44 y el que quiera ser el primero deberá ser esclavo de todos. 45 Porque ni aun el Hijo del hombre vino para que le sirvan, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos.

El ciego Bartimeo recibe la vista(F)

46 Después llegaron a Jericó. Más tarde, salió Jesús de la ciudad acompañado de sus discípulos y de una gran multitud. Un mendigo ciego llamado Bartimeo (el hijo de Timeo) estaba sentado junto al camino. 47 Al oír que el que venía era Jesús de Nazaret, se puso a gritar:

—¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí!

48 Muchos lo reprendían para que se callara, pero él se puso a gritar aún más fuerte:

—¡Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí!

49 Jesús se detuvo y dijo:

—Llámenlo.

Así que llamaron al ciego.

—¡Ánimo! —le dijeron—. ¡Levántate! Te llama.

50 Él, arrojando la capa, dio un salto y se acercó a Jesús.

51 —¿Qué quieres que haga por ti? —le preguntó.

—Raboni, quiero ver —respondió el ciego.

52 —Puedes irte —dijo Jesús—, tu fe te ha sanado.

Al instante recobró la vista y comenzó a seguir a Jesús por el camino.

Footnotes

  1. 10:5 por lo obstinados que son. Lit. por su dureza de corazón.
  2. 10:6 Gn 1:27.
  3. 10:7 Var. no incluye: se unirá a su mujer.
  4. 10:8 Gn 2:24.
  5. 10:19 Éx 20:12-16; Dt 5:16-20.
  6. 10:24 es entrar. Var. es para los que confían en las riquezas entrar.
  7. 10:40 concederlo. … decidido. Lit. concederlo, sino para quienes está preparado.

10 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Divorce(A)

10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan.(B) Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.(C)

Some Pharisees(D) came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”(E)

“It was because your hearts were hard(F) that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a](G) ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] and the two will become one flesh.’[c](H) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.(I) 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”(J)

The Little Children and Jesus(K)

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.(L) 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”(M) 16 And he took the children in his arms,(N) placed his hands on them and blessed them.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(O)

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees(P) before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(Q)

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d](R)

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,(S) and you will have treasure in heaven.(T) Then come, follow me.”(U)

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich(V) to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God!(W) 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”(X)

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”(Y)

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”(Z)

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much(AA) in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come(AB) eternal life.(AC) 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”(AD)

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time(AE)

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve(AF) aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,”(AG) he said, “and the Son of Man(AH) will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.(AI) They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him(AJ) and kill him.(AK) Three days later(AL) he will rise.”(AM)

The Request of James and John(AN)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”(AO)

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,”(AP) Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup(AQ) I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”(AR)

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,(AS) 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,(AT) 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,(AU) and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(AV)

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight(AW)

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,(AX) he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David,(AY) have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi,(AZ) I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”(BA) Immediately he received his sight and followed(BB) Jesus along the road.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 10:6 Gen. 1:27
  2. Mark 10:7 Some early manuscripts do not have and be united to his wife.
  3. Mark 10:8 Gen. 2:24
  4. Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  5. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts is for those who trust in riches

Teaching About Divorce

10 (A)And he left there and went (B)to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

And Pharisees came up and in order (C)to test him asked, (D)“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, (E)“Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your (F)hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But (G)from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them (H)male and female.’ (I)‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,[a] and (J)the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. (K)What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, (L)“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and (M)if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Let the Children Come to Me

13 (N)And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples (O)rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, (P)“Let the children come to me; (Q)do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 (R)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not (S)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And (T)he took them in his arms and blessed them, (U)laying his hands on them.

The Rich Young Man

17 (V)And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and (W)knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to (X)inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: (Y)‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, (Z)all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, (AA)looking at him, (AB)loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, (AC)sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have (AD)treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 (AE)Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus (AF)looked around and said to his disciples, (AG)“How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter (AH)the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples (AI)were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, (AJ)“Children, (AK)how difficult it is[b] to enter (AL)the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter (AM)the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[c] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus (AN)looked at them and said, (AO)“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, (AP)we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, (AQ)there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and (AR)for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold (AS)now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, (AT)with persecutions, and in (AU)the age to come eternal life. 31 But (AV)many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

32 (AW)And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and (AX)Jesus was walking ahead of them. And (AY)they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, (AZ)we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will (BA)condemn him to death and (BB)deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will (BC)mock him and (BD)spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And (BE)after three days he will rise.”

The Request of James and John

35 (BF)And James and John, (BG)the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us (BH)whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, (BI)“What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us (BJ)to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, (BK)in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, (BL)“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able (BM)to drink the cup that I drink, or (BN)to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, (BO)“The cup that I drink (BP)you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, (BQ)you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, (BR)but it is for those for whom it has been (BS)prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 (BT)And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles (BU)lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But (BV)it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[d] 44 and whoever would be first among you must be (BW)slave[e] of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but (BX)to serve, and (BY)to give his life as a ransom for (BZ)many.”

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 (CA)And they came to Jericho. And (CB)as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, (CC)a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was (CD)Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many (CE)rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, (CF)“Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his (CG)cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, (CH)“What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, (CI)“Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; (CJ)your faith has (CK)made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 10:7 Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife
  2. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches
  3. Mark 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another
  4. Mark 10:43 Greek diakonos
  5. Mark 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)