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.
MARK 10:19KJVWhat does Mark 10:19 mean?
Mark 10:19 lists several commandments that Jesus reminds a man to follow, including prohibitions against adultery, murder, stealing, lying, defrauding, and the command to honor one’s parents. Jesus is pointing the man back to the well-known moral instructions from the Jewish law as a foundation for a righteous life.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man who has asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by naming commandments that are familiar from the Ten Commandments, highlighting actions that relate to how people treat one another. By doing this, Jesus emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior and respect in relationships with others as part of following God’s will.
The Greek behind Mark 10:19
- "Defraud" (ἀποστερέω, apostereō) means to cheat or rob someone of what is rightfully theirs. This word is not found in the original Ten Commandments list but is included here, possibly to stress the importance of fairness and honesty in dealings with others.
- "Commandments" (ἐντολάς, entolas) refers to authoritative instructions or orders, specifically pointing to the well-known laws given by God to Moses.
- "Bear false witness" (ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, pseudomartyrēsēs) literally means to give a false testimony, which covers lying about someone, especially in legal or formal settings.
Why Mark 10:19 matters
- Mark 10:19 shows that Jesus values the ethical teachings of the Jewish law and expects his followers to live by them.
- The inclusion of "defraud not" draws attention to the broader principle of justice and integrity, not just the letter of the law.
- By listing these commandments, Jesus sets the stage for the deeper conversation that follows, where he challenges the man to go beyond rule-keeping to wholehearted devotion.