Mark 10:37

KJV

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} They said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Grant {G1325} unto us {G2254} that {G2443} we may sit {G2523}, one {G1520} on {G1537} thy {G4675} right hand {G1188}, and {G2532} the other {G1520} on {G1537} thy {G4675} left hand {G2176}, in {G1722} thy {G4675} glory {G1391}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They replied, "When you are in your glory, let us sit with you, one on your right and the other on your left."

Berean Standard Bible

They answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.”

American Standard Version

And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 10:37, James and John, two of Jesus' inner circle, boldly request the most esteemed positions—to sit at His right and left hands—in His coming "glory." This pivotal moment immediately follows Jesus' third explicit prophecy of His suffering, death, and resurrection, starkly revealing the disciples' profound misunderstanding of the true nature of His kingdom, which they still perceived through a lens of earthly power and political triumph rather than spiritual sacrifice and humble service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This audacious request from James and John is strategically placed within Mark's Gospel. It occurs immediately after Jesus' third and most detailed prediction of His impending suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem ([Mark 10:32-34](/mark/10-32-34 "Jesus' Third Passion Prediction")). Despite Jesus' clear pronouncements about the path of suffering He would take, the disciples, including James and John, appear to have either overlooked or fundamentally misinterpreted His words, clinging instead to a more conventional expectation of a conquering Messiah. Their request also serves as a stark contrast to Jesus' subsequent teaching on servant leadership ([Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Jesus Teaches on Servant Leadership")), highlighting the chasm between worldly ambition and the values of God's kingdom. The indignation of the other ten disciples ([Mark 10:41](/mark/10-41 "The Other Disciples' Indignation")) further emphasizes the widespread misunderstanding of Jesus' mission among His followers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The desire to sit at the "right hand" and "left hand" of a king or ruler was a deeply significant cultural aspiration in the ancient Near East, including Jewish society. These positions were reserved for the most trusted advisors, chief ministers, or closest confidantes, signifying the highest possible honor, authority, and proximity to power, second only to the monarch himself. During Jesus' time, many Jews eagerly anticipated a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression and establish a glorious, earthly kingdom, restoring Israel's political sovereignty. James and John, like many of their contemporaries, likely envisioned Jesus' "glory" as the inauguration of such a political kingdom, where they hoped to secure positions of immense prestige and influence, reflecting a common, yet misguided, Messianic expectation.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 10:37 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Misunderstanding of Christ's Kingdom**, revealing the disciples' persistent struggle to grasp the spiritual, sacrificial, and counter-cultural nature of Jesus' reign, contrasting sharply with their worldly aspirations for power and prestige. Secondly, it highlights the conflict between **Worldly Ambition vs. Spiritual Truth**, as James and John's desire for personal exaltation stands in direct opposition to Jesus' consistent teaching on humility, self-denial, and service as the pathway to true greatness, as seen in passages like [Mark 9:35](/mark/9-35 "Jesus Teaches Humility") and [Mark 10:43-45](/mark/10-43-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve"). Lastly, the verse sets up the theme of **Glory Through Suffering**, as the "glory" the disciples sought was one of earthly triumph, while Jesus' true path to glory involved the ultimate suffering of the cross, a concept He explicitly articulated in [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Jesus Predicts His Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grant (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb, used in a wide application, means "to give" or "to bestow." Here, it reflects a direct request, almost a demand, for a specific privilege. James and John are not asking for a general blessing but for a precise, advantageous position, indicating their clear intent and expectation of receiving what they perceive as their due.
* **Sit (Greek, _kathízō'_):** Meaning "to seat down" or "to sit (down)," this word implies taking a permanent, established position of authority. It speaks to their desire for a fixed, influential role within Jesus' anticipated kingdom, not merely a temporary honor, but a lasting place of power and prominence.
* **Glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** From a root meaning "to seem" or "to appear," _dóxa_ signifies "glory" in the sense of splendor, honor, renown, or majesty. While it can refer to divine majesty, in this context, James and John likely interpreted it through a worldly, political lens, envisioning a visible, earthly kingdom of power and prestige, rather than the spiritual triumph of the cross and resurrection that Jesus had in mind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They said unto him":** This identifies the speakers as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who, along with Peter, formed Jesus' inner circle. Their direct address to Jesus underscores their boldness and their belief in their privileged relationship with Him.
* **"Grant unto us that we may sit":** This phrase expresses their explicit request. The verb "grant" (δίδωμι) indicates a desire for Jesus to bestow a favor or privilege upon them. The desire to "sit" (καθίζω) implies a fixed, authoritative position, not merely a temporary visit, revealing their ambition for a permanent role in His kingdom.
* **"one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand":** These specific positions were universally understood in the ancient world as places of supreme honor, authority, and proximity to the ruler. To sit at the king's right or left hand meant to be his chief advisor, closest confidante, or co-regent, signifying the highest possible status within the court. This reveals the magnitude of their worldly ambition.
* **"in thy glory.":** This final phrase specifies the context of their desired positions. They envision Jesus' "glory" as the inauguration of His Messianic kingdom, but their understanding of this glory is clearly earthly and political, focused on visible power and prestige, rather than the redemptive suffering and spiritual triumph that Jesus was preparing to undergo.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the disciples make this request for positions of glory immediately after Jesus' third and most explicit prophecy of His suffering and death. Their ambition stands in stark contrast to the path of humility and sacrifice Jesus has just described, highlighting their profound spiritual blindness. **Symbolism** is also at play, with "right hand" and "left hand" serving as powerful symbols of ultimate honor, authority, and proximity to power in ancient courts. The term "glory" itself, while a theological concept, is used by the disciples to symbolize their worldly expectation of a triumphant, political kingdom, contrasting with Jesus' deeper, spiritual understanding of glory achieved through the cross. Finally, the passage uses **Contrast** to emphasize the tension between the disciples' worldly ambitions and Jesus' divine mission, setting the stage for His subsequent teaching on true greatness through humble service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The request of James and John in Mark 10:37 serves as a profound theological touchstone, revealing the persistent human struggle to reconcile our desires for worldly recognition and power with the counter-cultural demands of God's kingdom. It underscores that true greatness in God's eyes is not found in seeking positions of authority or honor, but in humble service and self-sacrifice, mirroring Christ's own example. This incident forces us to confront our own motivations for ministry and service, challenging us to align our ambitions with God's divine will, which often involves a path of suffering and humility before ultimate exaltation. The disciples' misunderstanding highlights the radical redefinition of power and glory that Jesus brought, shifting the focus from earthly dominion to spiritual transformation and servant leadership.

* [Matthew 20:20-23](/matthew/20-20-23 "The Request of James and John in Matthew")
* [Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Jesus Teaches on Servant Leadership")
* [Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "The Humility and Exaltation of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ambition of James and John in Mark 10:37 remains a timeless mirror for believers today, prompting us to deeply examine our own hearts and motivations. In a world that constantly values status, influence, and outward success, this passage challenges us to ask whether our pursuit of "glory" aligns with God's kingdom values. Are we seeking personal exaltation, recognition, or power within our churches, workplaces, or communities, or are we genuinely committed to humble service, even when it involves sacrifice and obscurity? True discipleship, as Jesus taught, involves embracing a path of self-denial and putting the needs of others before our own. This passage calls us to re-evaluate our understanding of "greatness," shifting our focus from earthly accolades to the quiet, often unseen, acts of service that truly reflect the heart of Christ. It reminds us that God's kingdom operates on an upside-down economy where the last are first, and the greatest are those who serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "glory" do I seek in my life, and how does it compare to Jesus' definition of glory?**
* **In what areas of my life do I find myself desiring positions of honor or control, rather than embracing a posture of humble service?**
* **How can I practically reorient my ambitions to align more closely with the self-sacrificial example of Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did James and John make such a seemingly inappropriate request?**

Answer: James and John, like most of the disciples, were still operating under a conventional Jewish understanding of the Messiah's kingdom. They envisioned Jesus establishing an earthly, political kingdom that would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's sovereignty. In this context, securing positions at the king's right and left hand would mean immense power and prestige. Their request, though revealing their spiritual immaturity and worldly ambition, stemmed from a genuine, albeit misguided, belief in Jesus' coming reign and a desire to be prominent within it. They simply had not yet grasped the spiritual, suffering, and sacrificial nature of Jesus' true kingdom, despite His repeated teachings on the matter, such as His passion predictions in [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Jesus Predicts His Suffering") and [Mark 10:32-34](/mark/10-32-34 "Jesus' Third Passion Prediction").

**What is the significance of sitting at the "right hand" and "left hand"?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Jewish society, sitting at the "right hand" or "left hand" of a king or ruler signified the highest possible positions of honor, authority, and trust. The right hand was typically considered the primary position of favor and power. These were the seats reserved for chief advisors, trusted ministers, or even co-regents, indicating that those occupying them shared in the ruler's authority and prestige. James and John's request, therefore, was for the ultimate positions of influence and leadership within Jesus' anticipated kingdom, reflecting a desire for supreme status and power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The misguided ambition of James and John in Mark 10:37 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the granting of earthly seats of power, but in Jesus' radical redefinition of glory and authority through His own suffering and exaltation. While the disciples sought positions of honor in an earthly kingdom, Jesus' true "glory" was revealed on the cross—a glory achieved through perfect obedience, self-emptying, and sacrificial love ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility")). The "cup" and "baptism" He challenged them with in [Mark 10:38](/mark/10-38 "Jesus' Response to James and John") were metaphors for His impending suffering and death, which He willingly embraced. It is through this path of humility and suffering that Jesus ultimately attained the true seat of honor: being exalted by God and seated at the Father's right hand in heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Christ Seated at God's Right Hand"); [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, the true fulfillment of "sitting in glory" is not found in demanding a position, but in sharing in Christ's suffering, which ultimately leads to sharing in His true, spiritual glory ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ Through Suffering"); [2 Timothy 2:12](/2_timothy/2-12 "Suffering and Reigning with Christ")). Jesus' life and ultimate sacrifice demonstrate that genuine authority and honor in God's kingdom are not grasped but are graciously bestowed upon those who, like Him, humble themselves and serve others.

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 19:28

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mark 16:19

¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Psalms 110:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

1 Peter 1:11

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Mark 8:38

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Matthew 25:31

¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: