Devine Scripture

Mark 10:3

What does Mark 10:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 10:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 10:3 means

Instead of directly answering their loaded question, Jesus skillfully turns the inquiry back to the Pharisees, asking them to recall Moses' command regarding marriage and divorce. This approach forces them to engage with the Scriptures themselves, rather than relying on their interpretations or attempting to ensnare Him in a theological debate.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them in answer, What did Moses say you were to do?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he answering said to them, `What did Moses command you?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he answering, saith to them: What did Moses command you?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he answering said to them, What did Moses command you?

Context

In response to the Pharisees' challenging question about divorce, Jesus redirects them to the authority of the Law. This move is crucial, as it prepares for His subsequent explanation that the Mosaic allowance for divorce was a concession due to human failing, not God's original intention, which He unveils in the following verses.

v.2And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him.

v.3This passage

v.4And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 10:25

    And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  • Galatians 4:21

    Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

  • John 5:39

    Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;

  • Isaiah 8:20

    To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

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