Chapter 10

1Jesus left that place and went into the territory of Judea and the area across the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and, as usual, he taught them.

2Some people asked Jesus, “Is a man allowed to divorce his wife?” They asked this to test him.

3Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you?”

4They replied, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.”

5Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this command for you because your hearts were stubborn.

6Jesus continued, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

7That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife,

8and the two will become one flesh—one united whole. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9Therefore, no one should separate what God has joined together.”

10When Jesus and his disciples were back inside the house, the disciples questioned him about this again.

11Jesus told them, “A man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife.

12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

13People were bringing little children to Jesus so that he would touch them, but the disciples scolded the people.

14When Jesus saw this, he became angry and told the disciples, “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.

15I tell you the truth: Anyone who does not accept God’s rule as a child would will never enter his kingdom.”

16Then Jesus held the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and asked God to show them his favor.

17As Jesus was setting out on the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”

18Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

19You know the commands: ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false evidence against anyone. Do not cheat anyone. Treat your father and mother with honor.’”

20The man told him, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was young.”

21Jesus looked directly at him and loved him. He said, “You are missing one thing. Go and sell everything you own, then give the money to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me.”

22The man was dismayed by these words and went away grieving because he owned many things.

23Jesus looked around and told his disciples, “How difficult it will be for people with wealth to enter God’s kingdom!”

24The disciples were amazed by his words. Jesus said to them again, “Children, it is so difficult to enter God’s kingdom!

25It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

26The disciples were even more amazed and said to one another, “Then who can possibly be saved?”

27Jesus looked directly at them and said, “This is impossible for human beings, but not for God. Everything is possible for God.”

28Peter began to say to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

29Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth about anyone who has left a home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and because of the good news:

30That person will receive a hundred times as much in this present age—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—while also being persecuted. In the age to come, that person will receive eternal life.

31But many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.”

32They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead. The disciples were amazed, and the others who followed were afraid. Jesus took the twelve disciples aside again and began telling them what was about to happen to him.

33Jesus said, “Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the leading priests and the experts in Jewish law. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to non-Jews.

34They will mock him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. After three days he will rise from the dead.”

35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask.”

36Jesus asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

37They replied, “When you rule in glory, let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left.”

38Jesus told them, “You do not understand what you are asking. Can you drink the cup of suffering I am about to drink, or be plunged into the suffering that will overwhelm me?”

39They replied, “We can.” Jesus told them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be plunged into the suffering I undergo.

40But the places at my right and left are not mine to give. Those places are for the people they have been prepared for.”

41When the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John.

42Jesus called all the disciples together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of nations dominate their people, and their powerful leaders control them.

43But that is not how it is among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must serve you,

44and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone’s slave.

45Even the Son of Man did not come so that others would serve him. He came to serve and to give his life in exchange for the freedom of many people.”

46They came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving the city with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road.

47When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by, he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please show me mercy!”

48Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus shouted even louder, “Son of David, please show me mercy!”

49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” The people called the blind man and told him, “Cheer up! Get up—he is calling you.”

50Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, sprang to his feet, and went to Jesus.

51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “My Teacher, I want to be able to see.”

52Jesus told him, “Go. Your trust has made you well.” Immediately Bartimaeus could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.