Mark 10:35

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.

And {G2532} James {G2385} and {G2532} John {G2491}, the sons {G5207} of Zebedee {G2199}, come {G4365} unto him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Master {G1320}, we would {G2309} that {G2443} thou shouldest do {G4160} for us {G2254} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} we shall desire {G154}.

Ya`akov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai, came up to him and said, "Rabbi, we would like you to do us a favor."

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.

Commentary on Mark 10:35 (KJV)

Mark 10:35 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, revealing the persistent human struggle with ambition and the true nature of God's kingdom. Here, two of Jesus' closest disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approach Him with a bold, self-serving request.

Context

This verse occurs immediately after Jesus' third and most explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection. Despite Jesus' clear prophecies about His impending passion, the disciples, including James and John, still harbored worldly expectations about the Messiah's kingdom. They envisioned an earthly reign where they would hold positions of power and glory. Their request highlights a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the spiritual nature of the kingdom He was establishing. Matthew 20:20-28 provides a parallel account, noting that their mother was also involved in presenting the request.

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding of Jesus' Kingdom: The disciples' request underscores their persistent belief that Jesus would establish an earthly, political kingdom, where positions of authority and honor would be distributed. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' repeated emphasis on suffering and service.
  • Self-Serving Ambition: James and John, despite being part of Jesus' inner circle, demonstrate a desire for personal glory and status. Their audacious "whatsoever we shall desire" reveals a presumptuous attitude, seeking privilege rather than understanding or contributing to God's will.
  • Discipleship Challenges: This incident serves as a powerful reminder that even those closest to Jesus struggled with worldly desires and the true implications of following Him. It sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on true greatness through servant leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Master" (KJV) used by James and John is the Greek word Didaskalos, meaning 'teacher'. While a respectful address, their subsequent request indicates they had not yet fully grasped the spiritual depth of His teachings or the sacrificial path He was leading them on. The phrase "whatsoever we shall desire" (Greek: ho ean aitēsōmen) emphasizes the broad, unqualified nature of their request, revealing their audacious confidence that Jesus would grant them whatever they sought, without question.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers today to examine their own motives in serving God. Are we seeking personal recognition, influence, or comfort, or are we truly committed to humility, service, and sacrifice, following the example of Christ? It highlights the ongoing tension between worldly ambition and the call to humble, selfless discipleship. True greatness in God's kingdom is not found in seeking positions of power, but in embracing the path of service, even suffering, for the sake of others and God's glory. Understanding God's will often requires us to set aside our own desires and embrace His higher purposes, which may look very different from our expectations.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 20:20

    ¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.

  • Matthew 20:28

    Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

  • 2 Samuel 14:4

    And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.

  • 2 Samuel 14:11

    Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

  • 1 Kings 2:16

    And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.

  • Mark 14:33

    And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

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