Home | What's New |
Mission Statement | Location|
Services | Calendar |
Lessons |
Committees | Activities |
Search | Links
Music, Search By: Hymnal / By Tune
/ Music Book |
Scott's Reference Library
Mark 10:17 through Mark 10:31 (NIV)
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees
before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not
steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and
mother.’”
20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell
everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to
enter the kingdom of God!”
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how
hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be
saved?”
27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God;
all things are possible with God.”
28Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29“I tell you the truth,” 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
30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes,
brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and
in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the
last first.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 17-22
This young ruler showed great earnestness. He asked what he should do now, that
he might be happy for ever. Most ask for good to be had in this world; any good,
Psalms 4:6; he asks for good to be done in this world, in order to enjoy the
greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this address by assisting
his faith, and by directing his practice. But here is a sorrowful parting
between Jesus and this young man. He asks Christ what he shall do more than he
has done, to obtain eternal life; and Christ puts it to him, whether he has
indeed that firm belief of, and that high value for eternal life which he seems
to have. Is he willing to bear a present cross, in expectation of future crown?
The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ upon easier terms;
that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep hold of his worldly
possessions too. He went away grieved. See Matthew 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.
VERSES 23-31
Christ took this occasion to speak to his disciples about the difficulty of the
salvation of those who have abundance of this world. Those who thus eagerly seek
the wealth of the world, will never rightly prize Christ and his grace. Also, as
to the greatness of the salvation of those who have but little of this world,
and leave it for Christ. The greatest trial of a good man’s constancy is, when
love to Jesus calls him to give up love to friends and relatives. Even when
gainers by Christ, let them still expect to suffer for him, till they reach
heaven. Let us learn contentment in a low state, and to watch against the love
of riches in a high one. Let us pray to be enabled to part with all, if
required, in Christ’s service, and to use all we are allowed to keep in his
service.