Mark 10:40

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.

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}.

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."

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

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

Mark 10:40 records Jesus' response to the ambitious request of James and John, two of His disciples, who sought the most prominent positions in His future kingdom: sitting at His right and left hand. This verse highlights the divine prerogative concerning eternal rewards and positions of honor within God's plan.

Context

This verse is part of a significant exchange following Jesus' third prediction of His passion (Mark 10:33-34). James and John, sons of Zebedee, approach Jesus with a request for preeminence (Mark 10:37). Jesus responds by asking if they can endure the suffering He is about to face, symbolized by "drinking the cup" and being "baptized with the baptism" (Mark 10:38). Their confident affirmation leads to this clarifying statement: while they will indeed share in His suffering, the distribution of ultimate honors is not His to arbitrarily grant, but rests with the Father's sovereign will. This passage sets the stage for Jesus' broader teaching on true servant leadership in the kingdom of God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The primary message is that ultimate authority and the allocation of positions of honor in the kingdom belong to God the Father. Jesus, in His incarnate state, defers to the Father's predetermined plan. This underscores that God's kingdom operates on divine appointment, not human ambition or favoritism.
  • Humility and Service: This verse, coupled with Jesus' subsequent teaching in Mark 10:42-45, challenges the disciples' worldly understanding of greatness. True greatness in God's kingdom is found in selfless service and humility, not in seeking positions of power or recognition.
  • Suffering Before Glory: Although not explicitly stated in verse 40, the preceding verses (Mark 10:38-39) tie the sharing of Jesus' "cup" (His suffering and death) to future glory. The path to honor in God's kingdom often involves enduring hardship and sacrifice, a concept echoed in 2 Timothy 2:12.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared" uses the Greek word hetoimazo (แผ‘ฯ„ฮฟฮนฮผฮฌฮถฯ‰), meaning "to prepare" or "to make ready." This emphasizes that these positions are not subject to human request or even Jesus' direct bestowal, but have been divinely and eternally designated by God the Father. It speaks to a pre-arrangement, highlighting God's meticulous and sovereign plan for His kingdom and those who will inherit its blessings, as seen in Matthew 25:34 where Jesus speaks of inheriting "the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 10:40 serves as a powerful reminder about the nature of ambition within the Christian life. It teaches us to:

  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Rather than striving for specific positions or recognition, we are called to trust God's perfect plan and timing for our lives and roles within His kingdom.
  • Embrace Humility: The verse encourages a spirit of humility and service, understanding that true honor comes from selflessly serving Christ and others, rather than seeking personal advancement.
  • Focus on Faithfulness: Our focus should be on faithfully fulfilling the call God has placed on us, knowing that He justly rewards those who serve Him, often in ways beyond human expectation or ambition.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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.
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