Mark 10 42

Mark 10:42 kjv

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

Mark 10:42 nkjv

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Mark 10:42 niv

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Mark 10:42 esv

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Mark 10:42 nlt

So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 42 Meaning

Mark 10:42 encapsulates Jesus' radical redefinition of leadership within the Kingdom of God, directly contrasting it with the prevailing worldly model. He identifies the characteristic abuse of power by secular rulers ("Gentiles") who dominate and assert authority for self-serving purposes. This sets the stage for His teaching on servant-leadership, where true greatness is found not in lording over others, but in humble service.

Mark 10 42 Context

Mark 10:42 is embedded within a critical teaching moment for Jesus and His disciples concerning the nature of Kingdom authority and service. The immediate catalyst for this verse is the audacious request of James and John (Mk 10:35-41), who, along with their mother (as per Matt's account), ask to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His glory—positions of ultimate worldly power and prestige. This request reveals their deep misunderstanding of Jesus' impending suffering and the true character of His Kingdom. The other ten disciples become indignant (Mk 10:41) at James and John's ambition, indicating that they too likely harbored similar aspirations for status.

Jesus, therefore, "calls them to Himself," gathering all twelve for a crucial, corrective lesson. He contrasts the prevailing worldly model of leadership, personified by "the rulers of the Gentiles," with the radical counter-cultural ethos of Kingdom leadership. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people lived under Roman occupation. They witnessed firsthand the oppressive, self-serving, and often violent exercise of authority by Roman governors, Herodian rulers, and even some Jewish religious leaders who mirrored these Gentile patterns. The expectation of the Messiah, for many, was a king who would overthrow such Gentile power with a superior, physical display of force. Jesus’ teaching here is a direct polemic against this prevailing concept of power, both Roman and Jewish, advocating a fundamental reorientation towards humility and sacrificial service as the hallmark of true greatness in His spiritual kingdom.

Mark 10 42 Word analysis

• But (ὁ δέ, ho de): A common Greek conjunction often indicating a shift, contrast, or continuation. Here, it sets Jesus' response against the disciples' request and indignation, introducing a contrasting truth.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Divine Son, the Messiah, the One with ultimate authority to define the Kingdom's principles. His actions and words carry divine weight.
• called (προσκαλεσάμενος, proskalesamenos): A participle of proskaleomai, meaning "to summon," "to call to oneself." It implies deliberate intent, a purposeful gathering for a significant lesson. Jesus takes the initiative to instruct His struggling disciples.
• them (αὐτούς, autous): Refers to James and John, and by extension, all the indignant ten disciples. Jesus addresses the entire group, recognizing the broader issue of worldly ambition within the core leadership.
• to Himself (πρὸς αὑτόν, pros auton): Implies drawing them close for private, intimate instruction. This wasn't a public sermon but a crucial moment for His inner circle.
• and said (καὶ λέγει, kai legei): Denotes an authoritative declaration or teaching.
• to them (αὐτοῖς, autois): Again emphasizing the direct address to the disciples.
• You (οἴδατε, oidate): The verb "you know," suggesting a commonly understood truth or observation. Jesus acknowledges their awareness of how earthly rulers operate, before immediately contrasting it.
• that those who are regarded as rulers (οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν, hoi dokountes archein): Lit. "those seeming/appearing to rule." This phrase subtly critiques the superficiality of worldly power, hinting that it may not be true leadership in God's eyes. It’s about perception or outward show of rule, not necessarily legitimate or righteous rule.
• of the Gentiles (τῶν ἐθνῶν, tōn ethnōn): "Of the nations." This specifies the paradigm of leadership Jesus is contrasting: that of the pagan world, characterized by self-interest and dominance, as opposed to God's Kingdom. This was the widely understood model of political power.
• lord it over (κατακυριεύουσιν, katakyrieuousin): From katakyrieuō. The prefix kata- (down) intensifies kyrieuō (to be lord or master). It means "to hold sway over," "to rule with dominion," "to dominate," "to subdue." Often carries a negative connotation of oppressive, absolute control, and abuse of power for personal benefit.
• them (αὐτῶν, autōn): Refers back to the "Gentiles" they rule over—the general populace.
• and their great men (καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν, kai hoi megaloi autōn): "Their great ones" or "those who are eminent/chief among them." Refers to those holding significant positions of power and influence.
• exercise authority over (κατεξουσιάζουσιν, katexousiazousin): From katexousiazō. Again, the intensified kata- prefix (down, over) coupled with exousiazō (to exercise authority). This describes the active wielding of power, often with an implication of exerting authority in a dominant, overbearing, or tyrannical manner, using power for selfish gain rather than service.

Words-Group analysis

• "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them": This phrase highlights Jesus' intentionality and His posture as a patient, yet firm, teacher. He draws the ambitious disciples in close, underscoring the intimate and corrective nature of His ensuing instruction.
• "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles": This part sets up a universal observation. Jesus appeals to the disciples' shared experience and common knowledge of how earthly power works, particularly under Gentile (Roman) rule. It lays the groundwork for the contrast that immediately follows, demonstrating a widely recognized model of oppressive governance.
• "lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them": The repetition of "them" and the use of two strong verbs, katakyrieuō ("lord it over") and katexousiazō ("exercise authority over"), paints a vivid picture of coercive, exploitative, and oppressive power. These verbs imply a top-down, self-serving model where the ruler's benefit, rather than the subjects' well-being, is the primary aim. This is the antithesis of the Kingdom leadership Jesus will soon describe.

Mark 10 42 Bonus section

The lesson in Mark 10:42 is not merely descriptive of worldly power but intensely prescriptive for Kingdom citizens. Jesus uses the example of the "Gentiles" not to simply illustrate a different culture, but to starkly portray a system that is antithetical to divine order. The term hoi dokountes archein ("those who seem/are considered to rule") carries a nuanced critique: their authority is perceived and earthly, not true or divine. It hints at the spiritual bankruptcy of such power, despite its outward display.

This teaching also highlights the disciples' persistent struggle to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' Kingdom. Despite multiple teachings on humility and service (e.g., Mk 9:35-37), they still default to worldly ambitions, seeking honor and position. This underscores the profound human inclination towards pride and self-exaltation, a challenge that believers must continuously confront. The counter-cultural call to service is not merely about good behavior, but about a transformed heart and a willingness to follow the Messiah who embraced the lowest place for the salvation of all. It sets the standard for all who claim Christ: leadership by submission, power in humility, and true honor in servanthood.

Mark 10 42 Commentary

Mark 10:42 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' teaching on true leadership, sharply contrasting the world's perception of greatness with that of the Kingdom of God. Faced with His disciples' ingrained ambition, particularly the blatant request of James and John for preeminent positions, Jesus directly addresses their flawed understanding. He observes that in the world, particularly among "Gentile" powers like the Roman Empire, authority is typically wielded for personal gain, domination, and oppression. The terms "lord it over" (katakyrieuō) and "exercise authority over" (katexousiazō) convey an image of forceful, often abusive, control where the powerful exploit the weak. This worldly paradigm sees power as a means to elevate oneself, accumulate honor, and subjugate others.

However, Jesus introduces a radical reversal, explicitly stating in the subsequent verse, "But it is not so among you" (Mk 10:43). True greatness in God's Kingdom is not found in dominating, but in serving; not in being waited on, but in waiting on others. The model for this counter-cultural leadership is Jesus Himself, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45). This teaching is foundational for understanding the nature of Christian discipleship and leadership in every era. It calls for humility, self-sacrifice, and an unwavering focus on the well-being of others, echoing Old Testament condemnations of abusive shepherds and pointing towards Christ as the ultimate humble Servant.

Examples of practical usage:

• A church leader refusing to exert control or demand submission, but instead washing the feet of their congregation through practical help and listening.
• A Christian CEO prioritizing fair wages and ethical treatment of employees over maximizing personal profit at all costs.
• Any believer in a position of influence using their "authority" to empower, serve, and uplift others, rather than for self-exaltation.