Mark 10:40

KJV

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} to sit {G2523} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188} and {G2532} on {G1537} my {G3450} left hand {G2176} is {G2076} not {G3756} mine {G1699} to give {G1325}; but {G235} it shall be given to them for whom {G3739} it is prepared {G2090}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

Berean Standard Bible

But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

American Standard Version

but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:40 captures Jesus' profound response to the ambitious request of James and John for positions of honor in His kingdom. In this pivotal statement, Jesus clarifies that the allocation of ultimate authority and preeminent seating at His right and left hand is not His to arbitrarily bestow, but rather rests solely with the sovereign will of God the Father, who has already prepared these places for those He has chosen. This declaration underscores the divine prerogative in eschatological rewards, challenging human notions of greatness and ambition within God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant section of Mark's Gospel that details Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and His final teachings to His disciples regarding the nature of His kingdom and their role within it. Immediately preceding this passage is Jesus' third and most detailed prediction of His passion, suffering, death, and resurrection in [Mark 10:32-34](/mark/10-32-34 "Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time"). Despite this clear prophecy of suffering, James and John, sons of Zebedee, approach Jesus with a request for preeminence in His glory, asking to sit at His right and left hand in His kingdom ([Mark 10:35-37](/mark/10-35-37 "James and John's Ambitious Request")). Jesus responds by questioning their readiness to "drink the cup" He is to drink and be "baptized with the baptism" He is to be baptized with, symbolizing His impending suffering and death ([Mark 10:38](/mark/10-38 "Jesus' Question About Suffering")). Their confident, though perhaps naive, affirmation in [Mark 10:39](/mark/10-39 "The Disciples' Affirmation") leads directly to Jesus' clarifying statement in verse 40, which then transitions into a broader teaching on true servant leadership for all the disciples, prompted by the indignation of the other ten ([Mark 10:41-45](/mark/10-41-45 "Jesus Teaches on Servant Leadership")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples' request for positions of honor reflects the common understanding of power and status in the ancient Near East, where sitting at the right or left hand of a king or ruler signified the highest possible honor, authority, and intimacy. Such positions were typically reserved for trusted advisors, prime ministers, or favored family members, granting immense influence and power. The disciples, still operating under a worldly paradigm, likely envisioned a political, earthly kingdom where they would hold prominent governmental roles. This cultural expectation contrasts sharply with Jesus' radical redefinition of greatness, which He articulates immediately following this exchange. The Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom further fueled their ambition, as they anticipated a swift transition to a glorious reign.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 10:40 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing that ultimate authority and the allocation of positions of honor in God's kingdom belong exclusively to God the Father. Jesus, in His incarnate state, defers to the Father's predetermined plan, underscoring that God's kingdom operates on divine appointment, not human ambition or favoritism. Secondly, this verse sets the stage for the theme of **Servant Leadership**, which Jesus immediately expounds upon in [Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42-45 "Jesus' Teaching on Servant Leadership"). It challenges the disciples' worldly understanding of greatness, redirecting them towards a model of humility and service as the true path to honor in God's kingdom. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Suffering Before Glory**, which is central to Mark's portrayal of Jesus' messianic identity. While the verse itself focuses on divine prerogative, it is a direct response to the disciples' willingness to share in Jesus' "cup" of suffering ([Mark 10:38-39](/mark/10-38-39 "The Cup of Suffering")), implying that the path to true glory in God's kingdom often involves enduring hardship and sacrifice, a concept echoed in [Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle serves as an adversative conjunction, introducing a contrast or a shift in thought. In Mark 10:40, it signals a crucial distinction between what James and John desire and what Jesus is able to grant. It sets up the subsequent clarification that the power to assign these positions does not reside with Him in the way they presume.
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to give" or "to bestow," is used here in the context of authority and prerogative. Jesus states that it is "not mine to give," indicating a limitation on His immediate, personal authority to grant such positions. This is not a denial of His divine authority, but rather an affirmation of the Father's ultimate, pre-ordained sovereignty in the distribution of kingdom honors. It emphasizes that these roles are not given arbitrarily or through human request, but according to a divine plan.
* **prepared (Greek, _hetoimázō'_):** This verb means "to prepare," "to make ready," or "to appoint beforehand." Its use in the perfect passive participle ("it has been prepared") highlights a completed action with ongoing results. It signifies that these positions of honor are not to be determined in the moment, but have been divinely and eternally designated by God the Father. This speaks to a pre-arrangement, underscoring God's meticulous and sovereign plan for His kingdom and those who will inherit its blessings, emphasizing divine foreknowledge and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give;":** Jesus directly addresses the core of James and John's request for preeminent positions. The phrase "right hand and on my left hand" signifies the highest places of honor and authority in a king's court. Jesus' declaration "is not mine to give" is a crucial theological statement. It does not deny His divine nature or authority, but rather highlights His submission to the Father's will and the specific parameters of His incarnate mission. In His earthly ministry, the allocation of these ultimate honors is reserved for the Father's sovereign determination, emphasizing that such positions are not subject to human ambition or even Jesus' direct bestowal outside of the Father's pre-ordained plan.
* **"but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.":** This clause clarifies the divine source of these ultimate honors. The passive voice, "it shall be given," points to God the Father as the active agent, even though not explicitly named. The phrase "for whom it is prepared" uses the perfect passive participle, indicating that these positions have been eternally and immutably designated by God. This underscores the Father's sovereign prerogative and meticulous foreknowledge in establishing His kingdom and appointing individuals to roles within it. It implies a divine blueprint, where ultimate rewards are not earned through human striving or favoritism, but are bestowed according to God's eternal purpose and perfect justice.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 10:40 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Irony** is present in the disciples' request for glory immediately after Jesus' third prediction of His suffering and death; their ambition stands in stark contrast to the path of self-sacrifice Jesus models. **Symbolism** is evident in "sitting on my right hand and on my left hand," which symbolizes ultimate authority, honor, and proximity to power, a common motif in ancient Near Eastern kingship. Jesus' response, however, redefines the path to such honor. The **passive voice** in "it shall be given" and "it is prepared" subtly emphasizes God the Father as the ultimate agent, even without directly naming Him, thereby highlighting divine sovereignty and pre-ordination. This grammatical choice shifts the focus from human agency and ambition to God's eternal plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:40 is a profound statement on divine sovereignty and the nature of God's kingdom. It teaches that ultimate authority and the distribution of eternal rewards rest solely with God the Father, who has a predetermined plan for His kingdom and those who will inherit its blessings. This challenges any human presumption that positions of honor can be attained through ambition, political maneuvering, or even direct appeal to Jesus outside of the Father's will. It underscores that God's kingdom operates on principles of divine appointment and preparation, not human merit or favoritism. The verse thus serves as a foundational truth, redirecting the disciples' worldly aspirations towards an understanding of God's perfect and sovereign design for His people and His eternal reign.

* [Matthew 20:23](/matthew/20-23 "Jesus' Response to James and John")
* [Matthew 25:34](/matthew/25-34 "The Kingdom Prepared from the Foundation of the World")
* [1 Corinthians 15:24](/1_corinthians/15-24 "Christ Delivers the Kingdom to God the Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 10:40 offers a vital corrective to our often human-centric views of success, ambition, and reward within the Christian life. It compels us to surrender our desires for specific positions, recognition, or status, and instead trust in the perfect, sovereign plan of God. Our focus should shift from striving for personal advancement to faithfully serving where God has placed us, understanding that true honor and reward come from Him, often in ways we neither expect nor orchestrate. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing that God's kingdom is not built on human hierarchies or competitive striving, but on selfless service and obedience to His divine will. It encourages us to find contentment and purpose in God's calling, knowing that He meticulously prepares and justly rewards those who serve Him with integrity and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' statement about divine prerogative challenge your own ambitions or desires for recognition within the church or your personal life?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to seek "right hand" or "left hand" positions, rather than trusting God's sovereign placement?**
* **How can embracing God's pre-ordained plan for your life free you from anxiety or striving for outcomes that are not yours to control?**
* **What does it mean to serve faithfully without seeking specific rewards, knowing that God has already "prepared" what is best?**

### FAQ

**Does Mark 10:40 mean Jesus lacks authority, or that He cannot grant positions of honor?**

Answer: Mark 10:40 does not imply that Jesus lacks divine authority, but rather that in His incarnate state and within the framework of the Father's eternal plan, the ultimate allocation of these specific positions of honor is reserved for the Father's sovereign determination. Jesus, as the Son, operates in perfect submission and unity with the Father's will. His statement, "is not mine to give," underscores the Father's unique prerogative in preparing and bestowing these ultimate kingdom rewards. It highlights the divine counsel and pre-ordination within the Trinity, where certain aspects of the kingdom's administration are specifically attributed to the Father's ultimate authority, as seen in [Matthew 25:34](/matthew/25-34 "The Kingdom Prepared from the Foundation of the World"). Jesus' authority is absolute, but it is exercised in perfect harmony with the Father's sovereign plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 10:40, while seemingly a limitation on Jesus' power, paradoxically highlights His perfect obedience and the ultimate sovereignty of the Father, which is foundational to Christ's redemptive work. Jesus' declaration that these positions are "not mine to give" but are "prepared" by the Father points to a divine blueprint for salvation and glorification, a plan in which Christ Himself is the central figure. The "right hand" is ultimately the place of supreme honor, and it is to this very position that the resurrected Christ ascends, as prophesied in [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "The LORD Says to My Lord") and fulfilled in [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Jesus Exalted to the Right Hand of God"). He is the one who, in His humanity, perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). Therefore, while He defers the *giving* of these positions, He Himself *receives* the ultimate place of honor at the Father's right hand, from which He now reigns and intercedes for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ Intercedes for Us")). Moreover, through His atoning sacrifice, Christ makes it possible for believers to ultimately share in His glory and reign, for we are "co-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")). Thus, the "prepared" places are ultimately secured by Christ's finished work, and those who are "in Christ" are the recipients of the Father's eternal preparation.

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 20:23

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 17:24

¶ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.