Mark 10 35

Mark 10:35 kjv

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

Mark 10:35 nkjv

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."

Mark 10:35 niv

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

Mark 10:35 esv

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."

Mark 10:35 nlt

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor."

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 35 Meaning

Mark 10:35 presents James and John, sons of Zebedee, approaching Jesus with a self-serving request for prominent positions of authority within His anticipated kingdom. This immediately follows Jesus' third passion prediction, starkly contrasting their worldly ambitions with His path of suffering and servanthood. Their audacious demand reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of the Messiah's mission and the nature of His heavenly kingdom, as they envision it in terms of earthly power and prestige.

Mark 10 35 Context

Mark 10:35 stands as a profound moment of ironic contrast within Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse (Mark 10:32-34), Jesus explicitly, for the third time, foretells His impending suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. He speaks of being delivered to the chief priests, condemned to death, mocked, flogged, spit upon, killed, and then rising after three days. This stark prediction about the nature of His messianic path provides the critical backdrop. Instead of understanding the profound sacrifice He describes, James and John immediately approach Him, demonstrating their complete lack of comprehension regarding the true nature of the Messiah's kingdom.

Historically and culturally, the Jewish people awaited a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and re-establish an earthly, political kingdom. This worldly expectation heavily influenced the disciples, who, despite Jesus' clear teaching, clung to the hope of prominent roles within such a dominion. This verse is nestled within a larger narrative in Mark (and the synoptics) where the disciples repeatedly struggle to grasp Jesus' teachings on humility, servanthood, and the spiritual nature of the kingdom, often engaging in disputes over who is greatest (Mark 9:33-35, Luke 22:24).

Mark 10 35 Word analysis

• And (Greek: Kai): Connects this scene directly to the preceding one, emphasizing the abrupt transition from Jesus’ passion prediction to the disciples’ ambition.
• James and John (Greek: Iakōbos kai Iōannēs): These are two of the "Sons of Thunder" (Boanerges, Mark 3:17), members of Jesus' inner circle (along with Peter), suggesting they were particularly bold and perhaps ambitious. Their shared personality trait of zealousness and desire for prominence is highlighted here.
• the sons of Zebedee: A specific identification, noting their family connection and status. Zebedee was a fisherman, possibly well-off enough to own boats and employ hired servants (Mark 1:20). Their social standing might have fueled their expectations for elevated positions.
• came up to Him (Greek: prosporeuontai pros auton): Indicates a proactive and direct approach. They did not wait to be called or chosen for positions; they initiated the conversation, indicating their strong desire and self-assurance. This is a personal appeal, bypassing others.
• saying (Greek: legontes): The participle emphasizes the verbal nature of their direct address.
• Teacher (Greek: Didaskale): This respectful form of address (similar to Rabbi) acknowledges Jesus’ authority. However, it can also reflect a common title used to approach influential figures, indicating they might view Him primarily as an earthly master who can grant favors rather than a divine Lord whose will should be submitted to. They are asking Him to act, not presenting themselves for His direction.
• we want (Greek: thelomen): Expresses their desire, a strong personal wish. It signifies their agency in the request.
• You to do (Greek: hina poiēsēs): Emphasizes that the action lies with Jesus. They are demanding a service from Him, placing the burden of fulfilling their request squarely on Him.
• for us (Greek: hēmin): Highlights the self-focused nature of their request. Their petition is exclusively about their own advancement.
• whatever we ask (Greek: ho ean aitēsōmen): This phrase demonstrates extraordinary presumptuousness and a lack of humility. It is an open-ended demand, expecting Jesus to commit to their wishes before even knowing what they are. This reveals a sense of entitlement and a misjudgment of Jesus' role and divine wisdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying": This segment highlights the direct, audacious, and intentional nature of their approach. Their prominent status within the Twelve (as members of the inner circle) makes their ambition particularly striking, as they might have felt entitled to greater honors. They did not merely hint but came forward explicitly.
• "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask": This collective phrase is the heart of their misguided request. Addressing Jesus as "Teacher" shows respect for His authority but doesn't signify a full grasp of His divine mission. The phrase "whatever we ask" demonstrates an extraordinary level of presumptuousness, expecting Jesus to grant them carte blanche without discerning the nature or propriety of their desire. It indicates a mind focused on personal gain and a failure to discern the true cost and character of discipleship in light of Jesus' suffering servant prediction.

Mark 10 35 Bonus section

The audacity of James and John’s request gains particular weight because it follows Jesus’ clear, specific prediction of His suffering and death. This dramatic irony underscores the deep spiritual blindness of even His closest disciples at this stage. Their desire for glory immediately after hearing about His path to the cross highlights a universal human struggle: discerning and accepting God’s ways, which often counter our natural desires for comfort, power, and recognition. The disciples' consistent pursuit of worldly greatness serves as a recurring thematic warning in Mark, illustrating that true greatness in God’s kingdom is radically redefined as servanthood and humility, echoing the life and example of Christ Himself.

Mark 10 35 Commentary

Mark 10:35 provides a stark example of human ambition clashing with divine purpose. Immediately after Jesus reveals the agonizing path of suffering awaiting Him, James and John respond not with understanding or compassion, but with a self-serving demand for positions of power. Their request, "whatever we ask," betrays a profound misunderstanding of Jesus’ kingdom as one of worldly prominence rather than spiritual humility and service. This reflects the common human tendency to seek self-exaltation even in religious contexts, often missing the call to self-sacrifice that true discipleship demands. Jesus' patient, albeit pointed, response in subsequent verses (not within 10:35, but immediately following) does not rebuke them for asking, but reorients their understanding towards the true nature of greatness, which is found in serving others and sharing in His suffering, rather than seeking earthly glory.