Mark 10:1-22 ▼

1 Jesus departed from thence, and went towards the confines of Judea, thro' the country beyond Jordan: where the people resorting to him again, he renewed his instructions to them as usual.

2 then the Pharisees came and propos'd to him this insnaring question, is it lawful for a man to repudiate his wife?

3 to which he answered, what direction did Moses give you?

4 Moses, said they, allowed a bill of divorce, and so to dismiss her.

5 but Jesus answered them, it was out of regard to your untractable temper, that Moses gave you this permission.

6 for in the beginning of the world God formed them male and female.

7 "wherefore, 'tis said, a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."

8 consequently they are no longer two, but one person.

9 let no man therefore separate what God has designed to be one.

10 When they were in the house, the disciples asked him again concerning this matter, and he said to them,

11 whoever repudiates his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her:

12 and if a woman quits her husband and is married to another, she committeth adultery.

13 Then they brought young children to him, that he might lay his hands upon them: but his disciples rebuked those that presented them.

14 which Jesus observing was much displeas'd with them, and said, suffer little children to come unto me, do not hinder them: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 I declare unto you, he that shall pretend to be admitted into the kingdom of God, and has not the temper of a little child, shall not enter therein.

16 then he embraced them, and laying his hand upon them, he gave them his blessing.

17 When he was set out upon his journey, there met him one, who kneeling down before him, said, good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

18 Jesus said to him, why do you call me good? there is but one, who is good, that is God.

19 you know the commandments, "do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honour your father, and mother."

20 to which he answered, master, said he, all these precepts have I observed from my youth.

21 then Jesus looking upon him with a favourable eye, said, there is one thing still to be done; go, sell all your estate, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 but he was troubled at this answer, and went away very sorrowful, for he had a great estate.