New Testament · Gospel

Mark 10:19

The Servant King

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’” Mark 10:19 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Mark 10:19, in plain English

Jesus listed the commandments: 'Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your parents.' The basics of living a good life.

Why it's here

Jesus started with what the man already knew. He was meeting him where he was before leading him to where he needed to go.

Who's speaking

Jesus recites familiar commandments.

Where it sits in the story

These commandments weren't new to the man. He'd heard them all his life. But Jesus was building a bridge from the familiar to the radical — and the man didn't see it coming.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus cites five commandments from the second table of the Decalogue (human relationships) plus an additional 'do not cheat' (mē aposterēsēs), possibly adapted for a wealthy audience tempted to defraud.

Language and setting

Notably absent is the tenth commandment about coveting, which Jesus will address indirectly through the command to sell possessions. Also absent are the first four commandments about relationship with God.

Voice

Jesus recites the commandments as a starting point.

Significance

Jesus begins with the commandments the man knows — the horizontal duties toward other people. The vertical duties toward God will be addressed through the radical demand that follows.

In context

Mark 10:17–21

17As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

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

19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’”

20“Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.”

21Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Read all of Mark 10 — Jesus redefines greatness. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give His life as a ransom.

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