Mark 10:19

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

Thou knowest {G1492} the commandments {G1785}, Do {G3431} not {G3361} commit adultery {G3431}, Do {G5407} not {G3361} kill {G5407}, Do {G2813} not {G3361} steal {G2813}, Do {G5576} not {G3361} bear false witness {G5576}, Defraud {G650} not {G3361}, Honour {G5091} thy {G4675} father {G3962} and {G2532} mother {G3384}.

You know the mitzvot -- `Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't give false testimony, don't defraud, honor your father and mother, . .'"

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.’”

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.

Commentary

Mark 10:19 is part of a pivotal conversation between Jesus and a wealthy young man who seeks to inherit eternal life. When asked what he must do, Jesus points him to the familiar moral precepts of the Old Testament Law, specifically those pertaining to human relationships.

Context

This verse immediately follows the young man's question, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Jesus first challenges his address of "Good Master," then directs him to the commandments. The list provided here is a selection from the latter half of the Ten Commandments (Decalogue), focusing on how individuals should treat their fellow human beings. Notably absent are the first four commandments, which deal with one's relationship with God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Law as a Mirror: Jesus uses the Law not as a means to earn salvation, but to expose the young man's understanding of righteousness and ultimately, his heart's true devotion. The commandments reveal where one falls short.
  • Emphasis on Human Relationships: The chosen commandments—"Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother"—all concern ethical conduct towards others. This underscores the principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself, which Jesus elsewhere identified as the second great commandment.
  • The Spirit of the Law: While the young man claimed to have kept these from his youth (Mark 10:20), Jesus later reveals his attachment to wealth, indicating that outward obedience does not necessarily equate to inward transformation or complete surrender.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Defraud not" (Greek: me apostereseis) is particularly interesting in Mark's account, as it differs from Matthew's and Luke's parallel passages which list "Do not covet." Apostereseis means "to deprive, to withhold what is due, to defraud, to cheat." This specific inclusion highlights a concern for economic justice and honest dealings, extending the spirit of the commandments against stealing and coveting into active, practical righteousness in financial and social interactions. It implies more than just not taking; it implies not withholding what is justly owed or due to another.

Practical Application

Mark 10:19 reminds us that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrated through ethical living and righteous conduct towards others. While salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, the commandments serve as a timeless guide for a life that honors God and blesses humanity. We are called to examine our own lives, not just for overt sins, but for subtle ways we might "defraud" or fail to love our neighbor in our daily interactions, financial dealings, and family relationships. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial obedience to a deeper, heart-level commitment to God's standards.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:12 (10 votes)

    ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Exodus 20:17 (10 votes)

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • Romans 13:9 (9 votes)

    For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • James 2:11 (6 votes)

    For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

  • Matthew 19:17 (5 votes)

    And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

  • Matthew 19:19 (5 votes)

    Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Luke 18:20 (5 votes)

    Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.