Mark 10 10

Mark 10:10 kjv

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

Mark 10:10 nkjv

In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.

Mark 10:10 niv

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.

Mark 10:10 esv

And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

Mark 10:10 nlt

Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 10 Meaning

Mark 10:10 marks a crucial transition from Jesus' public discourse with the Pharisees about divorce to a more intimate and profound instruction given to His disciples in private. The verse reveals the disciples' bewilderment and genuine struggle to comprehend Jesus' radical teaching on marriage and divorce, prompting them to seek further clarity away from the crowds. This private setting allows Jesus to expound upon the principles previously stated, laying down a deeper understanding of God's original intent for marriage.

Mark 10 10 Context

Mark 10:10 immediately follows Jesus' public debate with the Pharisees concerning divorce in Perea (Mark 10:1-9). The Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus by asking if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus responded by challenging their understanding of the Mosaic law, directing them instead to God's original creation ordinance in Genesis 1 and 2, which established marriage as an indissoluble, lifelong "one flesh" union. He declared that divorce, as permitted by Moses, was only on account of human hardness of heart and was not God's original intention. The disciples, having heard this teaching, were evidently perplexed. This verse, Mark 10:10, marks a transition, where Jesus and His disciples retreat "into the house," a common pattern in Mark's Gospel where Jesus provides further, more direct, and often challenging instruction to His inner circle, clarifying or expanding on His public pronouncements. The subsequent verses (Mark 10:11-12) contain Jesus' unambiguous and strong statement on remarriage constituting adultery, a principle directly aimed at shaping the conduct and understanding of His followers, going beyond mere Rabbinic legal debate. This private clarification underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ethic, which called for a much higher standard than contemporary Jewish practice or even Mosaic concession.

Mark 10 10 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting the previous public interaction to the new, private one. It signifies continuation and direct consequence of the preceding discussion.
• in (ἐν - en): Preposition indicating location.
• the house (τῇ οἰκίᾳ - tē oikia): Refers to a private dwelling or shelter, as opposed to a public space or the wilderness. In Mark's Gospel, the "house" often serves as a significant setting where Jesus gives intimate, detailed, and sometimes counter-cultural teachings exclusively to His disciples (e.g., Mk 7:17, 9:28, 9:33-35). This signifies a space for deeper instruction and spiritual growth, removed from the external pressures and opposition of the crowd or religious leaders.
• His (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun, specifying the disciples as belonging to Jesus, His followers.
• disciples (οἱ μαθηταί - hoi mathētai): This term signifies "learners" or "apprentices." It refers to those who committed themselves to following Jesus, embracing His teaching and lifestyle. Their specific identification highlights that this deeper instruction is for those dedicated to Him, contrasting with the general public.
• asked (ἐπηρώτων - epērōtōn): From the verb eperotao, which means to "interrogate," "question," "inquire," often implying a search for further information or clarification. The imperfect tense (eperotōn) suggests continuous or repeated questioning, indicating their persistent confusion or strong interest. They were genuinely wrestling with the implications of Jesus' public teaching.
• Him (αὐτόν - auton): Referring to Jesus, indicating He is the source of authoritative teaching and understanding.
• again (πάλιν - palin): An adverb of repetition, signifying that this was not a new topic for the disciples to ponder, but rather a re-visitation or renewed inquiry into something already discussed or perplexing. It emphasizes their difficulty in accepting or fully grasping the depth of Jesus' original intent for marriage, perhaps because it went against deeply ingrained societal norms and the interpretations of the Law they were familiar with.
• about (περί - peri): A preposition meaning "concerning" or "about."
• this matter (τοῦ πράγματος τούτου - tou pragmatos toutou): "This matter" refers explicitly to the preceding discussion about divorce with the Pharisees. Pragma means "deed," "affair," "matter," or "business." This indicates that the disciples recognized the profound implications of Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce and needed more than the brief public response He gave. They wanted to understand its practical ramifications for their lives and for the community they were part of.

Words-group Analysis

• "And in the house His disciples": This phrase highlights the setting and audience of Jesus' subsequent crucial teaching. It is not for public consumption but for those committed to His way, in a private space that fosters deeper spiritual learning.
• "asked Him again about this matter": This reveals the disciples' intellectual and spiritual struggle. "Asked...again" implies that Jesus' public statement was both startling and difficult to reconcile with their existing understanding of the Mosaic Law and Rabbinic traditions, prompting an urgent need for further, clearer instruction directly from the Lord. They weren't just curious, but deeply concerned.

Mark 10 10 Bonus Section

• The practice of retreating "into the house" with disciples (e.g., Mark 7:17, 9:28, 9:33-34) highlights Jesus' pedagogical approach: foundational public teaching, followed by more specific and often demanding private instruction for those committed to truly understanding and living by His message. This method ensured that the weightier implications of His teaching were delivered to prepared hearts.
• The disciples' questioning also demonstrates their sincere pursuit of truth. Unlike the Pharisees who sought to entrap Jesus, the disciples, though struggling, genuinely desired to understand the implications of Jesus' teaching on marriage for their own lives and for the emerging community of believers.
• Jesus' willingness to re-engage with "this matter" privately indicates the importance of the topic of marriage and divorce for the new covenant community, necessitating a clear understanding beyond the legalistic interpretations prevalent at the time. His answer in the following verses (Mk 10:11-12) will establish a strict standard, even going beyond the common allowance in Rabbinic Judaism.

Mark 10 10 Commentary

Mark 10:10 serves as a pivotal juncture in Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce. Following a public challenge from the Pharisees, Jesus now withdraws to the privacy of "the house" with His disciples. This transition from public confrontation to private instruction is a recurring literary motif in Mark, underscoring the intimate and sometimes counter-cultural nature of Jesus' deeper truths intended for His committed followers. The disciples' act of "asking Him again about this matter" is highly significant. It demonstrates their initial bewilderment at Jesus' radical reinterpretation of the Mosaic law on divorce, which countered the prevailing Rabbinic leniency. The repeated questioning suggests that Jesus' public words struck them as challenging established norms. In this secure, private setting, Jesus is poised to deliver the uncompromising, profound truth regarding God's original, unbreakable covenant design for marriage—a truth often challenging to worldly views, then as now.