Mark 10
International Children’s Bible
Jesus Teaches About Divorce
10 Then Jesus left that place. He went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, crowds came to him. And Jesus taught them as he always did.
2 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”
3 Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you to do?”
4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write out divorce papers and send her away.”[a]
5 Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God’s teaching. 6 But when God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’[b] 7 ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.[c] 8 And the two people will become one body.’[d] So the people are not two, but one. 9 God has joined the two people together. So no one should separate them.”
10 Later, the followers and Jesus were in the house. They asked Jesus again about the question of divorce. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery against her. 12 And the woman who divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery.”
Jesus Accepts Children
13 Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could touch them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children. 15 I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” 16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
A Rich Young Man’s Question
17 Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and fell on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?”
18 Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commands: ‘You must not murder anyone. You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor in court. You must not cheat. Honor your father and mother.’”[e]
20 The man said, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked straight at the man and loved him. Jesus said, “There is still one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have, and give the money to the poor. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
22 He was very sad to hear Jesus say this, and he left. The man was sad because he was very rich.
23 Then Jesus looked at his followers and said, “How hard it will be for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The followers were amazed at what Jesus said. But he said again, “My children, it is very hard[f] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 And it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle!”
26 The followers were even more amazed and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked straight at them and said, “For people this is impossible. But for God all things are possible.”
28 Peter said to Jesus, “We left everything to follow you!”
29 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. Everyone who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields for me and for the Good News 30 will get a hundred times more than he left. Here in this world he will have more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields. And with those things, he will also suffer for his belief. But in the age that is coming he will have life forever. 31 Many who are first now will be last in the future. And those who are last now will be first in the future.”
Jesus Talks About His Own Death
32 Jesus and the people with him were on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the way. The followers were amazed, but those who followed behind them were afraid. Jesus took the 12 apostles aside and talked with them alone. He told them what would happen in Jerusalem. 33 He said, “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be given to the leading priests and teachers of the law. They will say that he must die. They will give him to the non-Jewish people, 34 who will laugh at him and spit on him. They will beat him with whips and kill him. But on the third day after his death, he will rise to life again.”
Two Followers Ask Jesus a Favor
35 Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.”
36 Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
37 They answered, “You will have glory in your kingdom. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left.”
38 Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I must drink? And can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?”[g]
39 They answered, “Yes, we can!”
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the same cup that I will drink. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have. 40 But I cannot choose who will sit at my right or my left. These places are for those for whom they are prepared.”
41 The ten followers heard this. They began to be angry with James and John.
42 Jesus called all the followers together. He said, “The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority. 43 But it should not be that way among you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant. 44 If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave. 45 In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people.”
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
46 Then they came to the town of Jericho. As Jesus was leaving there with his followers and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting by the road. 47 He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. The blind man cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”
48 Many people scolded the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Tell the man to come here.”
So they called the blind man. They said, “Cheer up! Get to your feet. Jesus is calling you.” 50 The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.
51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”
52 Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” At once the man was able to see again, and he followed Jesus on the road.
Footnotes
- 10:4 “Moses . . . away.” Quotation from Deuteronomy 24:1.
- 10:6 ‘he made . . . female.’ Quotation from Genesis 1:27.
- 10:7 and . . . wife Some Greek copies do not have this phrase.
- 10:7-8 ‘So . . . body.’ Quotation from Genesis 2:24.
- 10:19 ‘You . . . mother.’ Quotation from Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20.
- 10:24 hard Some Greek copies continue, “for those who trust in riches.”
- 10:38 Can you . . . have? Jesus was asking if they could suffer the same terrible things that would happen to him.
Mark 10
New King James Version
Marriage and Divorce(A)
10 Then (B)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.
2 (C)The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him.
3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”
4 They said, (D)“Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.”
5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this [a]precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God (E)‘made them male and female.’ 7 (F)‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, (G)“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children(H)
13 (I)Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 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 (J)of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, (K)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will (L)by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler(M)
17 (N)Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I (O)do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, (P)God. 19 You know the commandments: (Q)‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have (R)kept from my youth.”
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, (S)sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have (T)treasure in heaven; and come, (U)take up the cross, and follow Me.”
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible(V)
23 (W)Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is [b]for those (X)who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a (Y)rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not (Z)with God; for with God all things are possible.”
28 (AA)Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
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 [c]or wife or children or [d]lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 (AB)who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with (AC)persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 (AD)But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection(AE)
32 (AF)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. (AG)Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 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; 34 and they will mock Him, and [e]scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Greatness Is Serving(AH)
35 (AI)Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
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.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the (AJ)cup that I drink, and be baptized with the (AK)baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, (AL)“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those (AM)for whom it is prepared.”
41 (AN)And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, (AO)“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 (AP)Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even (AQ)the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and (AR)to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus(AS)
46 (AT)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. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, (AU)Son of David, (AV)have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
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.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, [f]“Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; (AW)your faith has [g]made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Footnotes
- Mark 10:5 command
- Mark 10:24 NU omits for those who trust in riches
- Mark 10:29 NU omits or wife
- Mark 10:29 Lit. fields
- Mark 10:34 flog Him with a Roman scourge
- Mark 10:51 Lit. My Great One
- Mark 10:52 Lit. saved you
Mark 10
English Standard Version
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.
2 And Pharisees came up and in order (C)to test him asked, (D)“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, (E)“Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your (F)hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But (G)from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them (H)male and female.’ 7 (I)‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,[a] 8 and (J)the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 (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
- Mark 10:7 Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife
- Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches
- Mark 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another
- Mark 10:43 Greek diakonos
- Mark 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
