Mark 10:1-12

Read Mark 10:1-12

Helpful Background Information: 

• In Mark 10:1–12, Jesus leaves Galilee and travels into the region of Judea, where large crowds once again gather to hear Him teach. As was often the case, the Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him. They ask a question about a very hot-button topic of the day: divorce. Their hope was to trap Him in a public controversy. At the time, Jewish teachers debated Deuteronomy 24:1 and what it meant for a man to divorce his wife. Some rabbis allowed divorce only for serious moral failure, while others permitted it for almost any reason. By asking this question publicly, the Pharisees are trying to force Jesus to take sides and potentially ostracize part of His audience, or even get Him in trouble, especially given what happened to John the Baptist after criticizing Herod’s marriage.

• Jesus redirects the conversation away from legal loopholes and back to God’s original design for marriage. He points to Genesis, explaining that marriage was created by God as a lifelong, covenant union between a man and a woman. Rather than lowering the bar to human weakness, Jesus raises the standard to God’s intent. He explains that divorce was permitted in the Law because of human “hardness of heart,” not because it was God’s desire. Later, in private, Jesus explains to His disciples that divorce and remarriage fracture what God intended to be a faithful, exclusive bond. 

Reflection Questions: 

• Why do you think it matters that the Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce “to test Him” rather than to learn from Him? (Mark 10:2)

• In Mark 10:6–8, Jesus goes back to God’s design in creation (Genesis 1–2). Why do you think Jesus appeals to creation instead of staying focused on Deuteronomy 24?

• Jesus explains that some commands exist because of “hardness of heart” (Mark 10:5). What are some signs that our hearts may be growing hard toward God or others?

• In this passage, Jesus refuses to lower God’s standard even when it’s unpopular (Mark 10:2–9). How do we tend to respond when obedience to God runs counter to culture?