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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:35 presents a striking moment where James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, approach him with a self-serving and audacious request for positions of honor and authority in his coming kingdom. This incident immediately follows Jesus' third and most explicit prediction of his suffering and death, highlighting the profound spiritual blindness and persistent worldly ambition that still afflicted his inner circle, even as the cross loomed large. Their presumptuous demand sets the stage for Jesus' pivotal teaching on the true nature of greatness in God's kingdom, which is defined not by power and prestige, but by humble service and sacrificial suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after [Jesus' third passion prediction](/mark/10-32-34 "Mark 10:32-34 - Jesus' Third Passion Prediction") and just before his teaching on servant leadership. In [Mark 10:32-34](/mark/10-32-34 "Mark 10:32-34 - Jesus' Third Passion Prediction"), Jesus explicitly details his impending betrayal, condemnation, suffering, death, and resurrection. The disciples' request in [Mark 10:35](/mark/10-35 "Mark 10:35 - James and John's Request") demonstrates their failure to grasp the spiritual reality of his mission, as they are still preoccupied with earthly glory rather than the path of suffering. This scene also echoes earlier instances where the disciples struggled with worldly ambition, such as their argument over who was greatest in [Mark 9:33-37](/mark/9-33-37 "Mark 9:33-37 - Who is the Greatest?"), indicating a recurring theme of misunderstanding within the discipleship journey.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, under Roman occupation, held strong messianic expectations for a political deliverer who would overthrow foreign rule and establish an earthly kingdom. Disciples often sought patronage and positions of influence from their teachers or leaders. James and John, as "sons of Zebedee," were part of Jesus' inner circle, often present at significant events (e.g., the Transfiguration in [Mark 9:2-8](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration")). Their request reflects a common cultural practice of seeking preferential treatment from a master, but it is deeply incongruous with Jesus' radical redefinition of power and authority. The parallel account in [Matthew 20:20-28](/matthew/20-20-28 "Matthew 20:20-28 - The Mother of James and John's Request") adds that their mother, Salome, was also involved in presenting the request, perhaps reflecting a cultural norm of family advocacy.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully highlights several key themes central to Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Misunderstanding of Jesus' Kingdom**, as the disciples consistently envision an earthly, political reign despite Jesus' repeated declarations of his suffering mission ([Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")). Secondly, it exposes the pervasive nature of **Self-Serving Ambition** even among Jesus' closest followers, revealing their desire for personal glory and status over humble service. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' own example and his teachings on the true nature of discipleship. Finally, the incident serves as a crucial moment in the broader theme of **Discipleship Challenges**, demonstrating that even those intimately acquainted with Jesus' teachings struggled to shed worldly desires and embrace the counter-cultural call to self-denial and service, which Jesus would immediately address in [Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Mark 10:42-45 - Jesus Teaches About Servant Leadership").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** This term, meaning "teacher" or "instructor," is a respectful address used by the disciples. While appropriate for Jesus' role as a teacher, James and John's subsequent request reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the *kind* of master Jesus was and the *nature* of the kingdom he was establishing. They approach him as a patron from whom favors can be extracted, rather than as the divine Son of God whose path leads through suffering.
* **would (Greek, _thélō'_):** This verb signifies a strong desire, a determination or choice stemming from subjective impulse or will. James and John are expressing a firm, personal inclination or wish, indicating their deep-seated ambition. It highlights their active pursuit of their own agenda, rather than a passive or humble reception of God's will.
* **desire (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This word means "to ask" or "to beg" in a general sense. When coupled with "whatsoever" (G3739 `hós` + G1437 `eán`), it emphasizes the unqualified and audacious nature of their request. They are not asking for a specific, measured thing, but for a blank check, presuming Jesus' willingness to grant any and all of their wishes, no matter how self-serving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him":** This opening clause immediately identifies the protagonists. James and John, known as "sons of thunder" (cf. [Mark 3:17](/mark/3-17 "Mark 3:17 - Jesus Appoints the Twelve")), are part of Jesus' inner circle, often privy to his most intimate teachings. Their direct approach to Jesus, rather than through an intermediary, suggests their perceived closeness and boldness. The timing, immediately after Jesus' passion prediction, underscores the dramatic irony of their request.
* **"saying, Master,":** Their address "Master" (didáskalos) is respectful and acknowledges Jesus' authority as a teacher. However, the subsequent content of their request reveals that their respect is still rooted in worldly expectations of power and patronage, rather than a spiritual understanding of Jesus' true identity and mission. They see him as a means to their own ends.
* **"we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.":** This is the core of their audacious demand. The phrase "whatsoever we shall desire" (ho ean aitēsōmen) is remarkably broad and presumptuous. It conveys a sense of entitlement and a complete lack of humility. They are not presenting a specific need or a humble petition; rather, they are demanding that Jesus commit to fulfilling any future request, whatever it might be, demonstrating their unchecked ambition for power and status in the perceived coming earthly kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices in this passage to underscore its theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as James and John's request for glory immediately follows Jesus' detailed prediction of his suffering and death. This stark contrast highlights the disciples' spiritual blindness and their inability to grasp the true nature of Jesus' mission and kingdom, which is antithetical to worldly power. **Foreshadowing** is also evident, as this incident sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on servant leadership in [Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Mark 10:42-45 - Jesus Teaches About Servant Leadership"), which directly addresses and corrects their misguided ambition. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Contrast** between the disciples' worldly desires for status and Jesus' path of self-sacrifice, emphasizing the radical difference between human expectations and divine purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true greatness in God's kingdom, contrasting sharply with worldly notions of power and ambition. The disciples' request reveals a common human tendency to seek self-exaltation, even in the context of spiritual service. However, Jesus consistently redefines greatness not through dominion or privilege, but through humble service and self-sacrifice, mirroring his own impending path to the cross. This incident underscores that genuine discipleship requires a radical reorientation of values, moving away from personal gain towards a Christ-like posture of servanthood for the benefit of others and the glory of God. It challenges believers to examine their own motives in ministry and life, ensuring that their desires align with God's kingdom purposes rather than personal ambition.

* [Matthew 20:20-28](/matthew/20-20-28 "The Parallel Account of James and John's Request")
* [Mark 9:33-37](/mark/9-33-37 "Jesus Teaches Humility to His Disciples")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "The Humility of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 10:35 is a mirror reflecting the persistent human struggle with ambition, even among those committed to following Christ. James and John, despite being intimately acquainted with Jesus, still harbored a worldly vision of success and power. This challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts: Are our desires in ministry and life primarily for personal recognition, influence, or comfort, or are we genuinely committed to humility, service, and sacrifice, aligning our will with God's? True greatness in God's kingdom is not found in seeking positions of power or prestige, but in embracing the path of humble service, even suffering, for the sake of others and God's glory. It calls us to lay aside our self-serving agendas and embrace the counter-cultural values of the Kingdom, where the last are first and the servant is the leader. Understanding God's will often requires us to set aside our own desires and embrace His higher purposes, which may look radically different from our expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I, like James and John, seek personal gain or recognition, even within my spiritual pursuits?**
* **How does my understanding of "greatness" align with or diverge from Jesus' teaching on servant leadership?**
* **What "desires" am I bringing to God, and are they truly aligned with His kingdom purposes, or are they rooted in my own ambition?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of humble service, even when it means sacrificing personal comfort or recognition?**

### FAQ
**Why did James and John make such an audacious request, especially after Jesus' passion predictions?**

Answer: James and John, like many of Jesus' disciples, struggled to fully grasp the spiritual nature of his kingdom. Despite Jesus' repeated and explicit predictions of his suffering and death (e.g., [Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death")), they were still largely operating under the prevailing Jewish messianic expectations of an earthly, political kingdom. They envisioned Jesus establishing a glorious reign that would overthrow Roman rule, and they wanted to secure top positions of power and honor in that new administration. Their request, while audacious, stemmed from a profound spiritual blindness and a lingering attachment to worldly ambition, failing to comprehend that Jesus' path to glory was through the cross, not a throne.

**How does this incident relate to Jesus' broader teaching on greatness and leadership?**

Answer: This incident serves as a crucial catalyst for Jesus' definitive teaching on true greatness. Immediately following their request, Jesus calls all the disciples together and explains that worldly rulers lord their authority over others, but among his followers, it must be different. He states, "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be slave of all" ([Mark 10:43-44](/mark/10-43-44 "Mark 10:43-44 - Jesus Teaches About Servant Leadership")). This passage directly refutes the disciples' worldly ambition, redefining leadership not as a position of power and privilege, but as one of humble service and self-sacrifice, culminating in his own example: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The worldly ambition of James and John in [Mark 10:35](/mark/10-35 "Mark 10:35 - James and John's Request") stands in stark contrast to the perfect humility and self-giving of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of true greatness. While the disciples sought positions of power, Christ, "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - The Humility of Christ")). Their desire for glory on a throne is countered by Jesus' path to a cross, where he would secure true glory not for himself, but for all who believe. He did not come "to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")), thus demonstrating that ultimate authority and kingship are achieved through radical self-emptying love and sacrificial service, culminating in his atoning death and resurrection. Christ's life and mission redefine power, showing that true reign is found in laying down one's life for others, a principle beautifully exemplified in his washing of the disciples' feet in [John 13:1-17](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet"), setting the pattern for all who would follow him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.