Mark 10:2
What does Mark 10:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 10:2 means
Pharisees approach Jesus with a question about the lawfulness of divorce. Their intent was not to learn honestly but to 'try' or test Him, hoping to trap Him into a contradiction with Mosaic Law or popular rabbinic opinions. This challenging interaction highlights the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, who frequently sought to discredit Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Pharisees came to him, testing him with the question, Is it right for a man to put away his wife?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Pharisees, having come near, questioned him, if it is lawful for a husband to put away a wife, tempting him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Pharisees coming to him asked him, tempting him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Pharisees coming to [him] asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? (tempting him).
Context
Following Jesus' arrival in Judea, this verse immediately introduces a confrontational encounter with the Pharisees. Their question about divorce initiates a profound teaching by Jesus that challenges the prevailing cultural and religious interpretations of marriage, setting the stage for His radical affirmation of God's original design.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 19:3
And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
- 1 Corinthians 7:10
But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband
- Mark 8:11
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.
- Matthew 5:31
It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
- John 11:57
Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.
- John 7:32
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
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