Mark 10:36

KJV

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, What {G5101} would {G2309} ye that I {G3165} should do {G4160} for you {G5213}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Berean Standard Bible

“What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus directly asks James and John, "What would ye that I should do for you?" This pivotal question immediately follows their ambitious request for positions of honor in His kingdom, serving as a patient yet piercing invitation for them to articulate their desires, thereby exposing their earthly understanding of the Messiah's reign and setting the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on true greatness through humble service and suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of Mark's Gospel (chapters 8-10) where Jesus is on His final journey to Jerusalem, progressively revealing the true nature of His mission, which involves suffering, death, and resurrection. Immediately prior to this verse, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, have approached Jesus with a bold and self-serving request: to sit at His right and left hand in His glory ([Mark 10:35](/mark/10-35 "Mark 10:35 - James and John's Request")). Jesus' question in [Mark 10:36](/mark/10-36 "Mark 10:36 - Jesus Asks James and John What They Desire") is His direct response to their misguided ambition, demonstrating His patient engagement with their misunderstanding before delivering a foundational teaching on servant leadership ([Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Mark 10:42-45 - True Greatness is Service")). This episode is the third instance where the disciples struggle to grasp Jesus' passion predictions, following similar misunderstandings in [Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Peter Rebukes Jesus") and [Mark 9:30-37](/mark/9-30-37 "Mark 9:30-37 - Who is the Greatest?").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples' request and Jesus' subsequent question must be understood against the backdrop of first-century Jewish messianic expectations. Many Jews anticipated a political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom with positions of power and prestige. James and John, like the other disciples, likely envisioned Jesus' "glory" as a triumphal, earthly reign where they would occupy prominent governmental roles, akin to prime ministers or chief advisors. The "right hand" and "left hand" were positions of ultimate honor and authority in ancient courts, signifying unparalleled proximity and influence with the king. Their request, therefore, was not merely for recognition but for supreme power, reflecting a common human desire for status within a perceived hierarchy, a desire Jesus consistently challenged throughout His ministry.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 10:36 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it highlights the **Misunderstanding of Jesus' Kingdom**, revealing the disciples' persistent focus on earthly power and glory rather than the spiritual, suffering, and serving nature of God's reign. Secondly, it underscores Jesus' **Patient and Pedagogical Approach** to His disciples; instead of an immediate rebuke, He invites them to articulate their desires, allowing their true motives to surface before offering correction. This sets the stage for a profound teaching on **True Discipleship and Greatness**, which, contrary to worldly standards, is defined by humility, service, and a willingness to suffer for the sake of others, mirroring Jesus' own path to the cross ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The passage also implicitly touches upon the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, as Jesus later states that granting positions of honor is not His to give, but belongs to those for whom it has been prepared ([Mark 10:40](/mark/10-40 "Mark 10:40 - Not Mine to Give")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **What (Greek, _tís'_):** This interrogative pronoun (G5101) serves to elicit specific information, functioning as "who, which, or what." In this context, it is a direct and pointed inquiry, compelling James and John to articulate the precise nature of their request. Jesus is not merely asking "anything," but "what specific thing" do they desire Him to do.
* **would (Greek, _thélō'_):** Derived from G2309, this verb signifies a determination or choice stemming from subjective impulse, implying a strong desire or preference. It denotes a volitional act, highlighting that James and John's request is a deliberate expression of their inner wish or inclination, rather than a casual thought. Jesus is asking about their deeply held "will" or "desire."
* **do (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb (G4160) encompasses a very wide application of "making" or "doing," ranging from performing an action to fulfilling a purpose. Here, Jesus asks what action they wish Him to perform on their behalf, emphasizing His power and authority to effect change, but also implicitly challenging the nature of the "doing" they seek.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate conversational context. Jesus, having heard the audacious request from James and John, turns His attention directly to them. The conjunction "And" (Greek, _dé_) indicates a continuation of the narrative, transitioning from their request to His response, signifying a deliberate and intentional engagement.
* **"What would ye that I should do for you?"**: This is a direct, open-ended question that places the onus on James and John to articulate their specific desire. Jesus does not immediately rebuke or dismiss their request. Instead, He invites them to fully express their ambition. This approach is pedagogical, designed to draw out their true motives and the depth of their misunderstanding regarding the nature of His kingdom, preparing them for the profound and challenging truth He is about to reveal concerning suffering, service, and true greatness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Most prominently, Jesus utilizes a form of the **Socratic Method**, responding to a statement or question with another question, not to gain information He lacks, but to guide the interlocutor toward self-discovery and a deeper understanding of truth. This method forces James and John to articulate their desires, exposing their worldly ambitions. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play; the disciples seek power and glory, but Jesus' question, seemingly simple, will lead to a teaching about suffering and servanthood, which is the antithesis of their request. The question also creates **Anticipation**, as the reader knows that the disciples' answer will reveal their spiritual blindness, and Jesus' subsequent response will be a critical teaching moment, moving the narrative towards the core of discipleship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:36 serves as a powerful theological pivot, exposing the perennial human inclination toward self-exaltation and worldly ambition, even within the context of spiritual pursuit. Jesus' question challenges the disciples' (and our) fundamental understanding of greatness, shifting it from positions of power and prestige to a radical call for humble service and self-sacrifice. This exchange underscores the profound chasm between human desires for earthly glory and God's kingdom values, where true authority is found in laying down one's life for others. It highlights Jesus' unwavering commitment to redefine leadership and success in terms of servanthood, mirroring His own redemptive mission.

* [Matthew 20:20-21](/matthew/20-20-21 "Matthew 20:20-21 - The Request of James and John's Mother")
* [Luke 22:24-27](/luke/22-24-27 "Luke 22:24-27 - The Dispute Among the Disciples")
* [Philippians 2:3-8](/philippians/2-3-8 "Philippians 2:3-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' question to James and John resonates deeply with believers today, prompting a vital self-examination of our own motives and desires when we approach God or seek to serve in His kingdom. Are our prayers and ambitions primarily focused on personal gain, recognition, or comfort, or are they genuinely aligned with God's will and the advancement of His kingdom? This verse challenges us to consider whether we are seeking to be served or to serve, to gain power or to give ourselves away in love. Jesus' patient engagement with His misguided disciples offers a profound lesson in grace, reminding us that God often allows our true desires to surface, not to condemn us, but to lovingly redirect and reshape our hearts according to His perfect purposes, moving us from self-centered ambition to Christ-like humility and service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When I approach God in prayer or service, what do I truly desire Him to do for me, and are those desires aligned with His kingdom values?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be seeking earthly glory or position rather than humble service?**
* **How does Jesus' patient response to James and John's ambition challenge my own impatience or judgment toward others' spiritual immaturity?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart more focused on serving others than on personal advancement?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask a question He already knew the answer to?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not born of ignorance but of pedagogical intent. He already knew the ambitious desires of James and John. By asking "What would ye that I should do for you?", Jesus compelled them to articulate their request themselves. This Socratic method served several purposes: it brought their self-centered ambition into the open, making it undeniable; it allowed them to hear their own words, which could lead to self-awareness; and it created a teachable moment, setting the stage for Jesus to correct their misunderstanding about the nature of His kingdom and true greatness. It was a compassionate yet firm way to expose their spiritual blindness before offering a profound lesson on servant leadership, as seen in [Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Mark 10:42-45 - True Greatness is Service").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 10:36, with Jesus' direct inquiry, "What would ye that I should do for you?", finds its Christ-centered fulfillment not in the disciples' misguided ambition, but in Jesus' own life and mission as the ultimate servant. While James and John sought positions of honor and power, Jesus, the Son of God, came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His question implicitly contrasts their desire for worldly glory with His divine humility. The "doing" they request is for their own exaltation, but the "doing" that defines Christ is His sacrificial work on the cross, the ultimate act of service that brings salvation and true glory. He is the one who, though in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). Thus, Jesus' question serves as a profound setup, revealing the disciples' need for a radical reorientation of values, a reorientation that can only be truly understood and lived out by looking to the self-giving life and atoning death of Christ Himself, who perfectly exemplified the very service He called His followers to embrace ([John 13:14-15](/john/13-14-15 "John 13:14-15 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet")).

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

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

1 Kings 3:5

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

1 Kings 3:15

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Mark 10:51

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.