Mark 10 37

Mark 10:37 kjv

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

Mark 10:37 nkjv

They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

Mark 10:37 niv

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

Mark 10:37 esv

And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."

Mark 10:37 nlt

They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 37 Meaning

Mark 10:37 presents James and John, the sons of Zebedee, requesting the most prominent positions of authority and honor beside Jesus in His anticipated kingdom. Their request reflects a deep misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' Messianic reign, equating His "glory" with earthly power and prestige rather than the suffering and servant leadership central to God's plan. They desire immediate personal exaltation, unaware of the path of self-sacrifice required for true participation in Christ's glory.

Mark 10 37 Context

Mark 10:37 occurs immediately after Jesus' third explicit and detailed prophecy of His passion (Mk 10:32-34). In this prophecy, Jesus clearly outlines that He will be handed over, mocked, flogged, killed, and rise after three days. Despite this profound teaching on suffering and resurrection, James and John demonstrate their continued blindness and focus on worldly aspirations. The disciples have consistently struggled to grasp the true nature of Jesus' mission, frequently arguing among themselves about who is the greatest (Mk 9:33-34; Lk 22:24) and envisioning a political Messianic kingdom where they would hold positions of power. Culturally, "sitting at the right hand" was the preeminent position of honor, power, and authority in a monarchical or royal court, reflecting the highest favor and trust bestowed upon a minister or advisor.

Mark 10 37 Word analysis

• They said to Him: Refers specifically to James and John (mentioned in Mk 10:35 as the petitioners, though Matthew’s parallel includes their mother). These two disciples were part of Jesus’ inner circle (along with Peter), privy to events like the Transfiguration and Gethsemane. Their boldness in asking is notable.
• Grant us: The Greek term αἰτέω (aiteō) implies a request from a subordinate to a superior, yet in this context, it carries a degree of audacity, reflecting a sense of entitlement or presumption regarding their favored status.
• that we may sit: The Greek verb καθίσητε (kathisēte) suggests a position of authority, rule, or high honor, much like a judge or a king sitting on a throne. It directly implies sharing in Jesus’ kingly power.
• one on Your right hand and the other on Your left hand: The Greek δεξιῶν...εὐωνύμων (dexiōn...euōnymōn). This refers to the two positions of supreme honor and privilege, directly adjacent to the king or person of authority. In the ancient world, the right hand was universally understood as the seat of greatest favor, trust, and power. The left hand was still a position of significant honor, second only to the right. This request is a blatant grab for the two most senior administrative or royal offices in what they envision as Jesus’ earthly kingdom. It reveals their desire for ultimate preeminence over the other apostles.
• in Your glory: The Greek ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου (en tē doxē sou). This phrase denotes the manifestation of Jesus' power, majesty, and reign. For the disciples, "Your glory" likely evoked images of a victorious, earthly, Davidic king ascending to political power, driving out Roman oppressors, and establishing a grand Israelite kingdom. They linked divine glory with worldly splendor, failing to grasp the true nature of Christ’s kingdom which is primarily spiritual, built through suffering and self-sacrifice. They misunderstand the kingdom's inception through the cross and its spiritual power.

Mark 10 37 Bonus section

• The title "Sons of Thunder" (Boanerges) given to James and John in Mark 3:17 aptly describes their passionate, and at times, ambitious and impulsive nature, evident in this bold request.
• There's a striking irony: James was later the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John endured significant suffering and exile (Rev 1:9). Their path to "glory" indeed involved drinking a "cup" of suffering, as Jesus foreshadowed in His subsequent response (Mk 10:39).
• The actual fulfillment of positions at Jesus' "right hand" is seen in God the Father's exaltation of Christ (Ps 110:1; Heb 1:3) and in believers being seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6), not in a literal political arrangement based on personal lobbying.
• This passage underscores Jesus’ absolute submission to the Father’s will in all matters, including the assignment of places of honor. Jesus asserts that even the most coveted positions are reserved for those for whom they have been prepared by the Father (Mk 10:40), demonstrating divine sovereignty and disavowing human brokering of such ultimate rewards.

Mark 10 37 Commentary

Mark 10:37 vividly illustrates the profound disconnect between the disciples' worldly ambitions and Jesus' radical vision for the kingdom of God. Despite hearing multiple prophecies of Jesus' impending suffering and death, James and John remained fixated on earthly prestige. Their request to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His glory demonstrates a desire for personal honor and administrative power, completely misinterpreting the sacrificial path that defines true greatness in Christ's kingdom.

This verse serves as a crucial theological turning point, prompting Jesus to clarify that true authority and prominence in His kingdom are not obtained through human ambition or demand, but through humble service and sacrificial suffering (Mk 10:38-45). It is not for human desire to determine roles, but for the Father's divine plan to appoint. The scene highlights the universal human tendency towards self-exaltation and the constant need for spiritual transformation to align one's desires with God’s will.