Mark 10:32 Study Bible: They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.

◄ Mark 10:32 ►

As they were going up the road to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him:

Study Bible

As they were on the road
This phrase sets the scene for a journey, a common motif in the Gospels symbolizing spiritual progression and the path of discipleship. The Greek word for "road" is "hodos," which can also mean "way" or "path," often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the Christian life (e.g., John 14:6). The journey to Jerusalem is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, leading to the fulfillment of Jesus' mission.

going up to Jerusalem
The phrase "going up" is significant, as Jerusalem is geographically elevated, but it also holds spiritual significance. Jerusalem is the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple, representing the heart of God's covenant with Israel. The journey "up" to Jerusalem symbolizes an ascent towards God's divine purpose and the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry.

Jesus was walking ahead of them
Jesus leading the way is a powerful image of His role as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the leader of His disciples. The Greek verb "proago" means to lead forward or go before, emphasizing Jesus' role as the forerunner in the path of suffering and redemption. His leadership is both literal and symbolic, guiding His followers towards the ultimate sacrifice.

The disciples were astonished
The Greek word "thambezō" conveys a sense of amazement or bewilderment. The disciples' astonishment may stem from Jesus' resolute determination to face what awaits in Jerusalem, despite His previous predictions of suffering and death. This reaction highlights their struggle to comprehend the nature of Jesus' mission and the Kingdom of God.

but those who followed were afraid
The fear of the followers contrasts with the astonishment of the disciples. The Greek word "phobeo" indicates a deep-seated fear or apprehension. This fear could be due to the growing tension and danger surrounding Jesus' ministry, as well as the uncertainty of what His journey to Jerusalem would entail. It reflects the human response to the unknown and the cost of discipleship.

Again He took the Twelve aside
The act of taking the Twelve aside signifies a moment of intimate teaching and preparation. The Greek word "paralambano" means to take to oneself, indicating a personal and intentional act. Jesus often used these moments to reveal deeper truths to His closest followers, preparing them for the events to come and the responsibilities they would bear.

and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him
This phrase underscores Jesus' foreknowledge and the prophetic nature of His mission. The Greek verb "archomai" (began) suggests a deliberate initiation of revelation. Jesus' predictions of His suffering, death, and resurrection are central to the Gospel narrative, emphasizing His role as the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah 53. This foretelling is meant to prepare the disciples for the reality of the cross and the hope of the resurrection, reinforcing the divine plan of salvation.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
Central figure in the passage, leading the way to Jerusalem, demonstrating His resolve and purpose.

2. The Disciples
The twelve chosen followers of Jesus, who are astonished by His determination and the unfolding events.

3. Followers
A broader group accompanying Jesus and the disciples, experiencing fear due to the gravity of the situation.

4. Jerusalem
The destination of their journey, significant as the city where Jesus will face His crucifixion and resurrection.

5. The Road
Symbolic of the journey and mission of Jesus, both physically and spiritually, towards fulfilling His purpose.

Teaching Points

Jesus' Leadership and Resolve
Jesus leads by example, walking ahead of His disciples. His resolve in the face of impending suffering is a model of courage and commitment to God's will.

Understanding Fear and Astonishment
The disciples' astonishment and the followers' fear reflect human reactions to divine plans that surpass human understanding. Trust in God's plan is essential, even when it leads through difficult paths.

The Importance of Prophecy
Jesus' foretelling of His suffering and resurrection underscores the fulfillment of prophecy. Believers are reminded of the reliability of God's Word and His sovereign plan.

The Journey to Jerusalem
The journey symbolizes the Christian walk, often involving challenges and sacrifices. Believers are called to follow Jesus with faith, even when the path is daunting.

Preparation for Suffering
Jesus prepares His disciples for the coming events, teaching the importance of spiritual readiness and reliance on God's strength in times of trial.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jesus' leadership in Mark 10:32 inspire you in your personal walk with Christ?

2. In what ways can you relate to the disciples' astonishment or the followers' fear in your own life experiences?

3. How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' journey to Jerusalem strengthen your faith in God's Word?

4. What are some "Jerusalem" moments in your life where you need to trust God's plan despite uncertainty or fear?

5. How can you prepare spiritually for challenges and trials, following Jesus' example of forewarning and preparation?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 50:7
This verse speaks of setting one's face like flint, which connects to Jesus' determination as He leads the way to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51
Describes Jesus resolutely setting out for Jerusalem, reinforcing His commitment to His mission.

Matthew 20:17-19
Parallel account of Jesus predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection, providing additional context to His foretelling in Mark 10:32.

John 11:16
Thomas's statement about going to Jerusalem to die with Jesus highlights the disciples' understanding of the danger ahead.

Sermons

A Third Prediction by Our Lord of His Passion and Resurrection	J.J. Given	Mark 10:32-34
As They Followed, They Were Afraid	R. Bickersteth.	Mark 10:32-34
Christ on the Road to the Cross	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Mark 10:32-34
Christ's Life Founded on a Plan	F. Wagstaff.	Mark 10:32-34
Following and Fearing	W. M. Statham.	Mark 10:32-34
Following Jesus Fearingly	J. Vaughan, M. A.	Mark 10:32-34
The Coincidence of Opposites	E. Johnson	Mark 10:32-34
The Cross, the Object of Desire	W. H. Hutchings, M. A.	Mark 10:32-34
The Saviour's Alacrity to Reach the End of His Course	R. Bickersteth.	Mark 10:32-34

People

Bartimaeus, David, James, Jesus, John, Peter, Timaeus, Zabdi, Zebedee

Places

Jericho, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Road to Jerusalem

Topics

Afraid, Ahead, Amazed, Aside, Astonished, Calling, Disciples, Fear, Fearful, Followed, Front, Full, Jerusalem, Leading, Road, Taking, Though, Twelve, Walking, Wonder

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Mark 10:32

5901 loneliness
8754 fear

Mark 10:32-34

     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching
     2545   Christ, opposition to
     2570   Christ, suffering
     5893   insults
     8782   mockery
     9311   resurrection, of Christ

Library

June 21 Morning
Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps.--I Peter 2:21. Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.--Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Jesus of Nazareth . . . went about doing good.--Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The meekness and gentleness of Christ.--In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.--Be …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 19 Evening
Gold tried in the fire.--REV. 3.18. 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, 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. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.--Now for …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Christ on the Road to the Cross
'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.' --Mark x. 32. We learn from John's Gospel that the resurrection of Lazarus precipitated the determination of the Jewish authorities to put Christ to death; and that immediately thereafter there was held the council at which, by the advice of Caiaphas, the formal decision was come to. Thereupon our Lord withdrew Himself into the wilderness which stretches south …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Bartimaeus
Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.'--Mark x. 46. The narrative of this miracle is contained in all the Synoptical Gospels, but the accounts differ in two respects--as to the number of men restored to sight, and as to the scene of the miracle. Matthew tells us that there were two men healed, and agrees with Mark in placing the miracle as Jesus was leaving Jericho. Mark says that there was one, and that the place was outside the gate in departing. Luke, on the other …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

An Eager Coming
'And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.'--Mark x. 50. Mark's vivid picture--long wail of the man, crowd silencing him, but wheeling round when Christ calls him--and the quick energy of the beggar, flinging away his cloak, springing to his feet--and blind as he was, groping his way. I. What we mean by coming to Jesus:--faith, communion, occupation of mind, heart, and will. II. How eagerly we shall come when we are conscious of need. This man wanted his eyesight: do we not want …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love's Question
'What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?'--Mark x. 51. 'What wilt Thou have me to do!'--Acts ix. 6. Christ asks the first question of a petitioner, and the answer is a prayer for sight. Saul asks the second question of Jesus, and the answer is a command. Different as they are, we may bring them together. The one is the voice of love, desiring to be besought in order that it may bestow; the other is the voice of love, desiring to be commanded in order that it may obey. Love delights in knowing, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Children and Childlike Men
'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.' --Mark x. 13-15. It was natural that the parents should have wanted Christ's blessing, so …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Almost a Disciple
'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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Dignity and Service
'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 he baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with! 39. And they said …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

November the Second Leading to Christ
"Suffer little children to come unto Me." --MARK x. 13-22. "Unto Me!" We must not keep them at any half-way house. We are so prone to be satisfied if only we bring them a little way along the road. If we get them to pray! If we get them to attend the Lord's house! If we get them to be truthful and gentle! All of which is unspeakably good. It is a blessed thing to be in "the ways of Zion"; it is a far more blessed thing to be in the palace with Zion's King and Lord. When we are dealing with little …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Lord Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 -- "The Lord our Righteousness." Whoever is acquainted with the nature of mankind in general, or the propensity of his own heart in particular, must acknowledge, that self- righteousness is the last idol that is rooted out of the heart: being once born under a covenant of works, it is natural for us all to have recourse to a covenant of works, for our everlasting salvation. And we have contracted such devilish pride, by our fall from God, that we would, if not wholly, yet in part at …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
The Scripture before us is by several of the champions on the other side exhibited to the people as a rebuke to me. Their reasoning is rather ingenious than forcible: forsooth, because the disciples incurred the displeasure of Jesus Christ by keeping back the little children from coming to Him, therefore Jesus Christ is greatly displeased with me, and with all others like me, for keeping children from the font, and the performance there enacted; and specially displeased with me for exposing the Anglican …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Blind Beggar
This morning I shall address myself most particularly to the poor and blind souls here to-day. The poor blind man's faith described in this passage of Scripture, is a fit picture of the faith which I pray God you may be enabled to exert to the saving of your souls. We shall notice the origin of his faith, how his faith perceived its opportunity when Jesus passed by; we shall listen to his faith while it cries and begs; we shall look upon his faith while it leaps in joyous obedience to the divine …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

The Hardness of the Way.
"Children, how hard is it!"--St. Mark x. 24. I suspect there is scarcely a young man rich and thoughtful who is not ready to feel our Lord's treatment of this young man hard. He is apt to ask, "Why should it be difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven?" He is ready to look upon the natural fact as an arbitrary decree, arising, shall I say? from some prejudice in the divine mind, or at least from some objection to the joys of well-being, as regarded from the creatures' side. …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Domestic Relation.
When we speak of home life with its relations and duties we are not digressing from the subject of gospel light. Nowhere does the light of Christianity shine so peaceful and beautiful as in the home. Nowhere is the power of its influence so felt as in the home circle. The public worship of Christians is an inspiring scene, but nothing apparently is so heavenly as the sacred family altar. A father and mother whose hearts are filled with holy love together with happy, obedient children bowing together …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Value of Life
Whatever our present conceptions of Jesus Christ may be, we ought to approach our study of his teachings with a sense of reverence. With the slenderest human means at his disposal, within a brief span of time, he raised our understanding of God and of human life to new levels forever, and set forces in motion which revolutionized history. Of his teachings we have only fragments, but they have an inexhaustible vitality. In this course we are to examine these as our source material in order to discover, …
Walter Rauschenbusch—The Social Principles of Jesus

Tenth Lesson. What Wilt Thou?'
What wilt thou?' Or, Prayer must be Definite. And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?'--Mark x. 51; Luke xviii. 41. THE blind man had been crying out aloud, and that a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' The cry had reached the ear of the Lord; He knew what he wanted, and was ready to grant it him. But ere He does it, He asks him: What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?' He wants to hear from his own lips, not only the general petition …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who have Visited Canada--Stewardship.
Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who have visited Canada--Stewardship. The fallowing plain answers to practical questions, are written by those well acquainted with the work:-- I. "Are these children really street Arabs? If not, where do you find so many?" In the early days of the work, before the establishment of School Boards and kindred institutions, a large proportion of the children were actually taken from the streets. Now, the rescue work begins farther back, …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

The Journey to Jerusalem
"And they went in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid."--Mark 10:32. "Jesu, was hat dich getrieben." [38]Laurentius Laurenti. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1855 Jesus! what was that which drew Thee To Jerusalem's ancient gate? Ah! the love that burned so truly, Would not suffer Thee to wait! On Thou journeyedst, thus securing Me a city more enduring! To my spirit now draw nearer, Lord, as to Jerusalem! Let each moment …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

The Footsteps
"Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of."--Mark x. 39. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Behold, My bride, how fair My mouth, Mine eyes; My heart is glowing fire, My hand is grace-- And see how swift My foot, and follow Me. For thou with Me shalt scorned and martyred be, Betrayed by envy, tempted in the wilds, And seized by hate, and bound by calumny; And they shall bind thine eyes lest thou should'st see, By hiding Mine eternal truth from thee. And they shall scourge …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

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