Mark 10 41

Mark 10:41 kjv

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

Mark 10:41 nkjv

And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.

Mark 10:41 niv

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.

Mark 10:41 esv

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

Mark 10:41 nlt

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 41 Meaning

Mark 10:41 states that "And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John." This verse describes the strong emotional reaction of the other ten apostles to James and John's ambitious request for preeminent positions (sitting at Jesus' right and left hand) in Jesus' future glory. Their displeasure stemmed not from a deep spiritual conviction against worldly ambition, but likely from their own unfulfilled desires for status and power within the expected earthly kingdom.

Mark 10 41 Context

Mark 10:41 occurs within a crucial section of Mark's Gospel (Mark 10:32-45), where Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem and making His third and most explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Mark 10:32-34). Despite these clear prophecies of impending suffering, the disciples' focus remained fixed on an earthly, glorious kingdom. James and John, misunderstanding the nature of Jesus' messiahship and His kingdom, boldly ask for positions of supreme authority—to sit at His right and left hand. This audacious request, born of ambition and worldly expectations, immediately provokes a strong negative reaction from the other ten disciples. Their displeasure reveals that they too were still caught up in a similar mindset of seeking prominence, sparking rivalry and indignation among them. This interaction provides the perfect opportunity for Jesus to deliver His radical teaching on servant leadership (Mark 10:42-45), directly countering their worldly understanding of power and greatness.

Mark 10 41 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A common conjunction, here introducing the response following James and John's request. It signals a sequential event directly caused by the preceding one.
• when...heard (ἀκούσαντες - akousantes): A participle, "having heard," indicating that their hearing of the request was the immediate cause for their subsequent reaction. This implies an immediate and shared knowledge of the audacious demand.
• the ten (οἱ δέκα - hoi deka): Refers specifically to the remaining ten apostles (excluding James and John). This highlights that the competitive desire for prominence was not limited to James and John, but was a general issue among the group.
• heard it: The implied object of hearing is the request made by James and John in the preceding verses (Mark 10:35-37). Their direct plea for honor was made in the presence of the other disciples.
• they began (ἤρξαντο - ērksanto): Imperfect tense of "begin," suggesting that their indignation was not a fleeting thought but a rising feeling or initial expression of strong negative emotion. It emphasizes the commencement of their displeased state.
• to be much displeased (ἀγανακτεῖν - aganaktein): The Greek verb "aganakteō" (ἀγανακτέω) is strong, meaning "to be indignant," "to be annoyed," "to be vexed," or "to be angry." It conveys more than mild irritation; it's a simmering resentment or outrage, often associated with a sense of being wronged or observing presumptuous behavior. Their displeasure likely stemmed from jealousy that James and John attempted to get ahead of them, or a belief that they too were deserving of such status. It exposes their own unresolved ambitions.
• with James and John (περὶ Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωάννου - peri Iakōbou kai Iōannou): "Peri" here means "concerning" or "about," indicating the direct object of their indignation. Their anger was specifically directed at the audacity and ambition of these two brothers.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when the ten heard it": This phrase highlights that the hearing was collective and that the subsequent reaction was a unified, strong response from the majority of the disciples, revealing a shared problem of spiritual immaturity. Their competitive natures were immediately stirred.
• "they began to be much displeased": The strong verb aganaktein used here is crucial. It reveals that the "displeasure" was not a godly anger against sin, but rather indignation born of personal offense and competitive envy. It underscores that all the disciples, not just James and John, were struggling with worldly ambitions and misconceptions about the kingdom of God. Their focus remained on status, rather than service or suffering.

Mark 10 41 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial turning point. The disciples’ infighting, prompted by self-serving ambition, is met not with condemnation, but with clear, transforming instruction from Jesus. Their earthly-minded squabbling provided the context for one of Jesus' most profound statements about leadership. It underscores the profound contrast between worldly systems of power (lording over others) and the divine model of true greatness, which is found in self-sacrificing service, mirroring Jesus' own mission to "give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). This ongoing tension between worldly aspiration and kingdom humility is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels and within the life of every believer.

Mark 10 41 Commentary

Mark 10:41 captures a moment of stark human weakness and spiritual immaturity among Jesus' inner circle. The ten disciples' "much displeasure" was not born of righteous anger at James and John's self-centered ambition itself, but likely from their own covetous desire for the same positions. This mutual human flaw — the pursuit of status and prominence within an anticipated earthly kingdom — highlights how deeply entrenched worldly thinking was, even among those closest to Jesus. This immediate, intense reaction provides the perfect setup for Jesus' subsequent teaching on true kingdom leadership, turning a moment of human failing into a divine lesson on humility, servanthood, and the sacrificial nature of the Messiah's mission. The passage underscores that even faithful disciples must continually relinquish worldly values to embrace God's upside-down kingdom.