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Mark 10:35
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- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And James and John - come unto him - The request here mentioned, Matthew says, Mat 20:20, was made by Salome their mother; the two places may be easily reconciled thus: - The mother introduced them, and made the request as if from herself; Jesus knowing whence it had come, immediately addressed himself to James and John, who were standing by; and the mother is no farther concerned in the business. See the note on Mat 20:20.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying--Matthew (Mat 20:20) says their "mother came to Him with her sons, worshipping Him and desiring," &c. (Compare Mat 27:56, with Mar 15:40). Salome was her name (Mar 16:1). We cannot be sure with which of the parties the movement originated; but as our Lord, even in Matthew's account, addresses Himself to James and John, taking no account of the mother, it is likely the mother was merely set on by them. The thought was doubtless suggested to her sons by the recent promise to the Twelve of "thrones to sit on, when the Son of man should sit on the throne of His glory" (Mat 19:28); but after the reproof so lately given them (Mar 9:33, &c.) they get their mother to speak for them. Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire--thus cautiously approaching the subject.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But Jesus said unto them,.... Not by granting them what they desired, but by observing their ignorance to them; ye know not what ye ask: for sometimes good men are ignorant petitioners at the throne of grace; they are under the influence of their own spirits, and not the Spirit of God; they are prompted to ask things from a selfish principle, and not with a view to the glory of God, and their own spiritual welfare, and that of others: and indeed, the best of saints know not what they should pray for as they ought; and always stand in need of the help, assistance, and intercession of the Spirit of God; who is a Spirit of grace and supplication, and searches the deep things of God, and knows his mind and will, and what is suitable and convenient for his people; and whenever they pray without him, there is much darkness and ignorance in them, and in their petitions. In particular, these disciples knew not what they were asking for; they had no true notion of Christ's kingdom and glory, they were asking the chief places in; they were dreaming of worldly glory and grandeur, in which they imagined the kingdom of the Messiah would quickly appear: whereas his kingdom, in the present state of things, is not of this world, but of a spiritual nature; namely, the Gospel dispensation, which lies in the ministration of his word and ordinances, and in the distribution of his gifts and grace; and his kingdom and glory in the world to come, are things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard: they talked of things which would never be, either in Christ's kingdom, in earth or in heaven; fancying there would be posts of honour and profit, which some would be advanced to in it, signified by sitting at his right hand and left; whereas in the Gospel church state, the apostles, governors, and officers of the church were alike, and had no superiority over one another, but were all brethren, having one master, Christ; and the members of the churches are of the same body, and members one of another; and in the ultimate glory, there will be no degrees, but all the saints will share the same happiness: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? Which Christ speaks of in the present time, partly because his sorrows and sufferings were already begun: he had already been drinking of the cup of sorrows, being a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs, all his days; and he was wading in the waters of affliction, though as yet they were not come into his soul, and he as it were immersed in them; he was not yet baptized with the bloody baptism he came into this world for, and he was desirous of, Luk 12:50, and partly because of the certainty of these things, the cup was not to pass from him, and the baptism of his sufferings was to be surely accomplished; See Gill on Mat 20:22.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:35-45 Following Jesus’ third prediction of his suffering (10:32-33) comes another example of the disciples’ failure (see 8:31-33; 9:31-34). The first part of the account involves the foolish request of James and John (10:35-37) and Jesus’ reply to them (10:38-40). Then Jesus explains to the other disciples what greatness and leadership in the Kingdom of God mean (10:41-44). Jesus’ own supreme example of servanthood (10:45) illustrates and concludes this account.
Mark 10:35
The Request of James and John
34who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Overcoming Self Centeredness - Part 1 by Dr. k.p. Yohannan, Metropolitan
By K.P. Yohannan1.2K25:14MRK 10:35JAS 1:22This sermon emphasizes the importance of being active participants in our faith, not just passive listeners, using forgiveness as an example. It challenges the mindset of attending church solely for personal gain or experiences, highlighting the true essence of worship as giving worth to Jesus. The message delves into the need for a sacrificial approach to worship, focusing on serving others and God rather than seeking personal fulfillment. It also addresses misconceptions about spiritual experiences and the role of self-centeredness as a greater enemy than demons.
The Life With Men
By Harris Franklin Rall0MAT 5:38MAT 22:34MAT 25:31MRK 8:31MRK 10:35Harris Franklin Rall preaches on the inseparable connection between religion and ethics in Jesus' teachings, contrasting it with the practices of his time. Jesus emphasizes that true religion leads to ethical living, encapsulated in the commandment to love God and love others as oneself. He prioritizes mercy and service over religious rituals, teaching that genuine brotherhood stems from faith in God as Father. Jesus exemplifies a life of sacrificial service, teaching that true greatness lies in serving others selflessly and that the essence of life is found in giving rather than receiving.
Day 20, Matthew 20
By David Servant0MAT 19:28MAT 20:1MAT 20:28MAT 20:34MRK 10:35LUK 12:48David Servant preaches on the parable of the laborers, emphasizing that God rewards us based on how faithfully we utilize the opportunities He gives us, regardless of the duration of service. He highlights the importance of being faithful with the gifts and opportunities to serve that God provides, as seen in the parable. Jesus teaches about the upside-down order of His kingdom, where greatness is found in serving others, exemplified by His own sacrificial death. Despite internal strife among His disciples, Jesus addresses conflicts promptly, setting an example for all leaders to handle confrontation effectively. Encouragement is given for those seeking healing, reminding them of Jesus' unwavering compassion and urging them not to be discouraged by naysayers.
The Journey to Jerusalem
By John F. Walvoord0GEN 3:15MAT 16:21MAT 17:22MAT 20:15MAT 20:28MAT 20:34MRK 10:32MRK 10:35LUK 18:34John F. Walvoord preaches on the Parable of the Householder and the Laborers, emphasizing God's sovereignty in rewarding individuals according to His own judgment, regardless of the length of their toil or work performed. He highlights the illustration as a reminder that while some rewards are temporal, the full reward awaits in heaven. Walvoord also delves into Jesus' prediction of His death and resurrection, underscoring the accuracy of His foretelling and the disciples' struggle to fully comprehend the impending events. Furthermore, he explores the incident of the mother of James and John seeking positions of power for her sons, revealing the disciples' ongoing struggle with earthly ambitions and Jesus' redirection towards servanthood in His kingdom.
The Relationship Between the Cup and the Fire
By T. Austin-Sparks0Suffering and SacrificeUnity in the ChurchMRK 10:35T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound relationship between the cup of the Lord and the scattering of fire on earth, illustrating that true spiritual progress and the advancement of the Gospel are contingent upon partaking in the cup, which symbolizes suffering and sacrifice. He highlights the paradox of the Christian life, where joy and sorrow coexist, and stresses that the cup represents both the holiness of Christ and the unity among believers. Sparks warns against the dangers of division within the Church, asserting that the effectiveness of the Gospel is hindered by a lack of unity and a failure to embrace the cup's implications. Ultimately, he calls for a recognition of the cup's significance in both personal and corporate Christian life, urging believers to accept their share in Christ's sufferings to experience the resulting fire of the Spirit.
The Kingdom of God
By Harris Franklin Rall0DAN 2:44MAT 5:3MAT 7:15MAT 13:44MAT 25:31MRK 2:9MRK 4:26MRK 10:35LUK 17:20Harris Franklin Rall delves into the concept of the Kingdom of God as portrayed in the Gospels, emphasizing the imminent arrival of the expected Kingdom that both John and Jesus proclaimed. While the Jewish belief in the Kingdom centered around God's rule leading to Israel's triumph, Jesus introduced a different perspective, focusing on the reign of righteousness, peace, and goodwill under a loving and compassionate God. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is a precious gift, offering forgiveness, eternal life, and the ultimate fulfillment of seeing God. He highlighted the importance of obedience and service to others as essential aspects of entering and living in the Kingdom, challenging his followers to embody the spirit of righteousness and love.
Christ Teacheth Humility
By C.I. Scofield0JOB 8:6MAT 1:1MRK 10:35LUK 14:12LUK 19:12ROM 8:181CO 3:11REV 3:21C.I. Scofield preaches on the lesson from Mark 10:35-45, highlighting the misconception of prayer as a means to fulfill personal desires and ambitions, emphasizing the importance of true submission to God's wisdom and love in prayer. Jesus teaches that true greatness in His kingdom is achieved through suffering and service, not through seeking positions of power and authority for self-gratification. The path to the throne in God's kingdom is paved with humility, sacrificial service, and a willingness to endure suffering for the sake of others.
Lessons From Children
By David Servant0MRK 10:35David Servant preaches on Jesus' teachings about humility and greatness in the kingdom of heaven, using the disciples' question on greatness as a backdrop. Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility by using a child as an example, stating that to enter heaven, one must be converted and become like children. He highlights that humility and service are key traits for greatness in God's kingdom, contrasting the world's view of greatness with God's view. Jesus also warns against causing harm to children who believe in Him, emphasizing the seriousness of leading them astray.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And James and John - come unto him - The request here mentioned, Matthew says, Mat 20:20, was made by Salome their mother; the two places may be easily reconciled thus: - The mother introduced them, and made the request as if from herself; Jesus knowing whence it had come, immediately addressed himself to James and John, who were standing by; and the mother is no farther concerned in the business. See the note on Mat 20:20.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying--Matthew (Mat 20:20) says their "mother came to Him with her sons, worshipping Him and desiring," &c. (Compare Mat 27:56, with Mar 15:40). Salome was her name (Mar 16:1). We cannot be sure with which of the parties the movement originated; but as our Lord, even in Matthew's account, addresses Himself to James and John, taking no account of the mother, it is likely the mother was merely set on by them. The thought was doubtless suggested to her sons by the recent promise to the Twelve of "thrones to sit on, when the Son of man should sit on the throne of His glory" (Mat 19:28); but after the reproof so lately given them (Mar 9:33, &c.) they get their mother to speak for them. Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire--thus cautiously approaching the subject.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But Jesus said unto them,.... Not by granting them what they desired, but by observing their ignorance to them; ye know not what ye ask: for sometimes good men are ignorant petitioners at the throne of grace; they are under the influence of their own spirits, and not the Spirit of God; they are prompted to ask things from a selfish principle, and not with a view to the glory of God, and their own spiritual welfare, and that of others: and indeed, the best of saints know not what they should pray for as they ought; and always stand in need of the help, assistance, and intercession of the Spirit of God; who is a Spirit of grace and supplication, and searches the deep things of God, and knows his mind and will, and what is suitable and convenient for his people; and whenever they pray without him, there is much darkness and ignorance in them, and in their petitions. In particular, these disciples knew not what they were asking for; they had no true notion of Christ's kingdom and glory, they were asking the chief places in; they were dreaming of worldly glory and grandeur, in which they imagined the kingdom of the Messiah would quickly appear: whereas his kingdom, in the present state of things, is not of this world, but of a spiritual nature; namely, the Gospel dispensation, which lies in the ministration of his word and ordinances, and in the distribution of his gifts and grace; and his kingdom and glory in the world to come, are things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard: they talked of things which would never be, either in Christ's kingdom, in earth or in heaven; fancying there would be posts of honour and profit, which some would be advanced to in it, signified by sitting at his right hand and left; whereas in the Gospel church state, the apostles, governors, and officers of the church were alike, and had no superiority over one another, but were all brethren, having one master, Christ; and the members of the churches are of the same body, and members one of another; and in the ultimate glory, there will be no degrees, but all the saints will share the same happiness: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? Which Christ speaks of in the present time, partly because his sorrows and sufferings were already begun: he had already been drinking of the cup of sorrows, being a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs, all his days; and he was wading in the waters of affliction, though as yet they were not come into his soul, and he as it were immersed in them; he was not yet baptized with the bloody baptism he came into this world for, and he was desirous of, Luk 12:50, and partly because of the certainty of these things, the cup was not to pass from him, and the baptism of his sufferings was to be surely accomplished; See Gill on Mat 20:22.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:35-45 Following Jesus’ third prediction of his suffering (10:32-33) comes another example of the disciples’ failure (see 8:31-33; 9:31-34). The first part of the account involves the foolish request of James and John (10:35-37) and Jesus’ reply to them (10:38-40). Then Jesus explains to the other disciples what greatness and leadership in the Kingdom of God mean (10:41-44). Jesus’ own supreme example of servanthood (10:45) illustrates and concludes this account.