Mark 10:35
“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.”
1. Context: It’s important to understand the context surrounding this verse. In the preceding verses (Mark 10:32-34), Jesus had just foretold His upcoming betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. The disciples were journeying with Jesus towards Jerusalem, and they were likely filled with various emotions and expectations.
This verse specifically mentions James and John, who were among Jesus’ twelve disciples. They were brothers, known as the “sons of Zebedee” and were also referred to as the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). James and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter.
James and John approached Jesus with a specific request. They wanted Jesus to grant them whatever they desired. It’s worth noting that this request was made by James and John, rather than all the disciples collectively.
James and John’s request reveals their ambition and perhaps a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission. They may have anticipated Jesus establishing an earthly kingdom and sought positions of power and authority within it. This can be seen in the following verse, where they ask Jesus to grant them to sit on His right and left hand in His glory (Mark 10:37).
Jesus, aware of their ambitions and what lies ahead, responded with a question in Mark 10:36: “What would ye that I should do for you?” He desired to understand the motivation behind their request and to teach them an important lesson about servant leadership.
Jesus used this opportunity to teach His disciples about true leadership in the kingdom of God. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus emphasized that those who want to be great must become servants, just as the Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus’ teaching challenged the conventional understanding of leadership at that time.
This passage serves as a reminder for believers today. It encourages us to examine our own hearts and motives when seeking positions of influence or authority. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is demonstrated through selfless service to others, following the example set by Jesus Himself.
