Mark 10 19

Mark 10:19 kjv

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.

Mark 10:19 nkjv

You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "

Mark 10:19 niv

You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"

Mark 10:19 esv

You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'"

Mark 10:19 nlt

But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.' "

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 19 Meaning

Mark 10:19 presents Jesus's response to a rich young man inquiring about inheriting eternal life. Jesus points him to several commandments from the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), specifically those governing human-to-human relationships. By listing these, Jesus implicitly tests the man's understanding of righteousness, probing whether his external adherence aligns with a deeper, heart-level commitment and recognizing his inability to perfectly fulfill the law. It sets the stage to reveal the man's true obstacle: his idolatry of wealth.

Mark 10 19 Context

Mark chapter 10 begins with Jesus's teaching on divorce, followed by Him receiving little children, emphasizing the humble, dependent faith needed to enter the Kingdom. Immediately after this, the rich young man approaches Jesus, eager to know how to "inherit eternal life." Jesus's initial response (v. 19) by listing the commandments points him to the familiar path of righteousness taught by Judaism. This sets up the revelation of the man's true heart condition – his inability to perfectly fulfill the Law due to his love for material possessions, which becomes the central focus of the rest of the pericope. The inclusion of commandments regarding human relations ("the second tablet" of the Law) also subtly highlights the absence of commands related to God, perhaps hinting at the man's ultimate failure to love God supremely above his riches.

Mark 10 19 Word analysis

• You know (Greek: οἶδας, oidas): Implies presumed awareness and familiarity. Jesus does not instruct the man as if he is ignorant, but rather probes his practical adherence and deep understanding of the law. This assumes a certain level of moral knowledge within Jewish society.
• the commandments (Greek: τὰς ἐντολάς, tas entolas): Refers directly to the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) from the Mosaic Law. These were the fundamental moral and ethical framework for Jewish life.
• Do not murder (Greek: Μὴ φονεύσῃς, Mē phoneusēs): The Sixth Commandment. Prohibits the taking of human life. Jesus elsewhere broadened this to include anger and hatred in the heart (Matt 5:21-22), indicating that outward compliance might mask inner transgression.
• Do not commit adultery (Greek: Μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, Mē moicheusēs): The Seventh Commandment. Prohibits sexual unfaithfulness. Jesus also expanded this to include lustful thoughts (Matt 5:27-28), pointing to the inner state of the heart.
• Do not steal (Greek: Μὴ κλέψῃς, Mē klepsēs): The Eighth Commandment. Prohibits the taking of another's property without permission or right.
• Do not bear false witness (Greek: Μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, Mē pseudomartyrēsēs): The Ninth Commandment. Prohibits testifying falsely, particularly in legal settings, which could damage another's reputation, rights, or even life.
• Do not defraud (Greek: Μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς, Mē aposterēsēs): Unique to Mark's (and possibly implied in Luke's) version of this account, not a direct Decalogue command. This Greek term implies withholding what is due, cheating, exploiting, or taking something from another unfairly or by illicit means. For a rich man, this could be highly significant, covering a wide range of economic injustices from oppressing workers to unethical business practices. It expands "stealing" to include more subtle forms of financial injustice often practiced by the powerful, acting as a powerful summary for the broader spirit of the Law concerning covetousness or taking advantage.
• Honor your father and mother (Greek: Τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα, Tima ton patera sou kai tēn mētera): The Fifth Commandment. Enjoins respect, care, and obedience towards parents, crucial for social order and family stability within Israelite society.
• Words-Group analysis: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.': These specific commandments exclusively concern one's relationships with other humans, commonly referred to as the "second tablet" of the Ten Commandments. Notably, the commands directly related to one's relationship with God (idolatry, blasphemy, Sabbath) are omitted. This specific selection is deliberate: Jesus starts with what the man thinks he can do perfectly to show his righteousness, highlighting his external morality. Yet, it also implicitly reveals the man's underlying spiritual deficiency and failure in loving God, especially concerning his covetousness of wealth, which functioned as his true god.

Mark 10 19 Bonus section

• The conversation shifts from what "I must do" to "who I must follow." Jesus tests the man's self-righteousness derived from adherence to a checklist, rather than from a living relationship and radical obedience.
• The commandments listed represent foundational elements of Jewish moral teaching, widely accepted as marks of a righteous life. By invoking them, Jesus is meeting the man on his own terms before challenging his deeper spiritual commitment.
• The order of the commandments listed in Mark (and Luke) differs from the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) order, though this is not uncommon in rabbinic tradition. Mark and Luke omit the command against coveting, which Matthew includes (Matt 19:18-19) in its broader form ("You shall not covet"). However, Mark's unique "do not defraud" serves a similar function by exposing the covetous heart and the unrighteousness tied to wealth.

Mark 10 19 Commentary

Jesus’s listing of these commandments to the rich young man serves not as a prescription for salvation by works, but as a diagnostic tool. He knew the man’s heart and used the familiar framework of the Law to expose his deep-seated attachment to material possessions. While the man claimed to have kept these commands since his youth, Jesus’s specific choice, particularly the addition of "do not defraud," cuts deeper, hinting at subtle forms of injustice or unfair acquisition of wealth. The Law's purpose is to reveal sin and to show humanity's inability to achieve righteousness through their own efforts. By pointing to the commands focused on human relations, Jesus reveals the man's self-deception concerning his supposed adherence and prepares him for the ultimate command that will reveal his true obstacle: radical discipleship, which requires surrendering his perceived source of security – his great wealth.