Mark 10:6 - Printer Friendly

What does Mark 10:6 mean?

ESV: But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’

NIV: But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'

NASB: But from the beginning of creation, God CREATED THEM MALE AND FEMALE.

CSB: But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

NLT: But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation.

KJV: But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

NKJV: But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’

Verse Commentary:

Jesus makes this comment in the context of God's plan for marriage, but modern concerns demand a broader analysis of gender. God made humans to be male or female in sex and gender. Sin corrupts. It corrupts nature, genetics, social mores, and everything humans touch.

Transgenderism and the idea of a continuum of genders is a sinful misinterpretation of God's creation. Science is unsure as to why some people feel they are a different gender than their biology. Science has found that some of these situations are caused by specific mental illnesses. But even if the feeling has a chemical or hormonal cause, the Bible gives no more leeway to act on those feelings than it does a person who is naturally violent, or lazy, or prone to addiction.

In contrast, intersexualism is a genetic defect whereby a child is born with ambiguous gender traits in chromosomes, hormones, or genitalia. Intersexualism is not, in and of itself, a sin. It's a physical condition caused by the cumulative general effect of human sin on the human body. There is no condemnation in being truly, biologically, intersex.

Neither is Jesus speaking against same-sex marriage, here, at least not directly. It's worth noting that Jesus explicitly states that the plan for marriage is male and female—rather than saying something like "a loving pair" or other phrases compatible with same-sex matrimony. All the same, His comments here are not intended as a commentary on homosexuality.

Despite what some might claim, this is not a valid argument from absence; Jesus' lack of a direct statement does not mean He endorses same-sex behaviors. There are reasons Jesus didn't specifically address homosexuality: it wasn't an issue for the Israelites of His time. The audiences of Jesus' recorded teachings are primarily Jewish. People in that culture generally worked hard to obey the Mosaic law. That sin was more common in Roman culture, which is why Paul talks about it in very direct terms (Romans 1:26–27).

Finally, Jesus is not talking about how people should act. In general men and women have different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. But if a woman isn't naturally nurturing, that doesn't mean she's a man. And if a man isn't aggressive or strong, that doesn't mean he's a woman. Much of the modern confusion over gender identities, ironically, is because of an insistence that some traits are inescapably bound to certain genders. There is room to respect the gender we are born into while we also respect our individual personalities.

Jesus is talking about something much deeper and specific: God made men and women to pair up and have good, life-long relationships. This is a universal truth for all nations, cultures, and religions. God endorses the marriages of unbelievers as much as believers. At the same time, He acknowledges that some people are better suited to remain single, whether because they wish to concentrate their efforts on God's work, or because they don't feel equipped to marry (Matthew 19:11–12).

Mark 10:1–12 carries profound implications for marriage and sexuality. In Jesus' time, a man could divorce his wife for the slightest offense. Jesus' asserts people have corrupted God's definition for marriage: that one man and one woman become unified by a covenant made before God. Jesus then says that if a man can't handle that kind of lifelong commitment, he shouldn't get married (Matthew 19:10–12). As usual, God's law protects the powerless: in this case, women. Today, Jesus' words do the same, rebuking those who choose to harden their hearts against their spouse for selfish reasons. An expanded version of this account is in Matthew 19:1–12, and Luke 16:18 contains a portion of it, as well.

Chapter Summary:

In this passage, Jesus again confronts the Pharisees by clarifying God's views on marriage and divorce. He reminds the disciples not to dismiss the spiritual perspective of children. This chapter also records Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, who becomes an object lesson in why wealth makes it hard for people to rely on God. After this, Jesus deftly sets aside an arrogant request from James and John, and again predicts His impending death. Just prior to the triumphal entry of chapter 11, Jesus is sought out by Bartimaeus, whom He heals of blindness.

Chapter Context:

In between chapters 9 and 10, Jesus resumes His public teaching as He travels to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Luke 9:57—18:14; John 7—10). We meet Him here across the Jordan in Perea and follow as He makes His way west again to Jericho. This chapter surrounds a third prophecy of Jesus' death (Mark 10:32–34) with lessons on His value for those others often dismiss: women (Mark 10:1–12), the powerless (Mark 10:13–16), those who value God more than the world (Mark 10:17–31), servant-hearted leaders (Mark 10:35–45), and those with bold faith (Mark 10:46–52). Next is the triumphal entry and the beginning of Passion Week.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.

Accessed 5/7/2024 7:05:53 PM