And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
James and John aren't just asking for a promotion; they're seeking a pre-ordained, high-ranking position in Jesus' kingdom, revealing their limited, worldly understanding of his coming reign. Jesus’ response immediately challenges their ambition by linking earthly glory to a shared experience of his suffering, a profound connection they initially fail to grasp.
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just told his disciples for the third time that he is going to Jerusalem to suffer and die, but they are still focused on earthly power and status. James and John, perhaps emboldened by their mother Salome, approach Jesus with a bold request for the highest positions in his future kingdom, showing a profound misunderstanding of his mission. This request, made while Jesus is on his way to face suffering and death, reveals their ambition and ignorance of the true nature of his kingdom.
James and John approach Jesus with a bold, open-ended request. What does this seemingly innocent phrase reveal about their hearts and expectations?
When James and John say, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you,” they are essentially trying to lock Jesus into a blank check. This isn't just a friendly favor; it's an attempt to secure positions of power and honor in what they assume Jesus' kingdom will look like.
A Kingdom of Earthly Power?
They pictured a king with a visible, earthly reign, and they wanted the prime minister spots. This reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. They saw his coming as the inauguration of a political kingdom, not the establishment of a spiritual reality that begins with suffering and sacrifice.
The Danger of Ambition
While zeal for God is good, this request highlights how ambition can easily get tangled with our faith. It’s a warning to all of us: even when we follow Jesus sincerely, we must constantly examine our motives. Are we seeking a position in God's kingdom, or are we seeking recognition and power for ourselves within it?
This early ambition, though misplaced, wasn't the end of their story, but it was a critical moment of learning.
Jesus doesn't directly answer their request for power. Instead, he asks a profound question about a 'cup' and a 'baptism.' What do these metaphors represent?
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Jesus redirects James and John’s focus from earthly glory to the reality of his mission. He uses two powerful metaphors: the cup and baptism.
The Cup of Suffering
The 'cup' Jesus speaks of represents the full measure of suffering and divine wrath he was destined to drink for humanity's sin. It’s the agonizing experience of bearing God’s judgment on the cross. While James and John initially boasted they could drink it, they vastly underestimated the depth of this suffering.
The Baptism of Tribulation
Similarly, the 'baptism' refers not to water baptism, but to being immersed in overwhelming suffering and tribulation. It signifies a complete engulfment in hardship. Jesus was plunged into the deepest trials for our sake, and he asks if his disciples are willing to face similar, though not identical, immersions in hardship for his name.
A Shared Journey
Jesus clarifies that sitting at his right or left hand isn't his to give arbitrarily. It belongs to those the Father has ordained, those who are willing to share in His suffering. This isn't about earning a place, but about the costly, sacrificial path that leads to the Father's prepared rewards.
Understand the original words
didaskalos · Greek Noun
A formal title meaning 'Master' or 'Rabbi.' It acknowledges the authority of a teacher who interprets scripture and imparts wisdom, a title frequently applied to Jesus by his disciples.
This request by James and John, occurring just as Jesus prepares them for his imminent suffering, reveals a profound misunderstanding of his kingdom. They still saw it through an earthly lens of power and prestige, failing to grasp that true honor in Christ's kingdom is found in sacrificial service and shared suffering, not in elevated status.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, gathering disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His disciples, including James and John, witness his miracles and teachings firsthand.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Jesus explicitly tells his disciples for the first time that he will be arrested, suffer, be killed, and rise again. This news causes confusion and concern among the disciples.
c. AD 30
James and John's Request for Prominence
Shortly after Jesus predicts his suffering, James and John, with their mother Salome, approach Jesus asking for the highest positions of honor in his future kingdom.
c. AD 30
Jesus Explains the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus clarifies that the 'highest positions' involve sharing in his suffering and 'cup' of persecution, not earthly glory. He explains that these positions are determined by the Father.
c. AD 30
The Other Apostles React
When the other ten apostles learn of James and John's request, they become indignant, highlighting the competitive and misunderstanding atmosphere among Jesus' closest followers.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches About Service and Humility
Jesus uses the incident to teach a profound lesson: true greatness in his kingdom comes not from seeking power, but from serving others, like a servant rather than a master.
This passage provides a parallel account where James and John's mother makes a similar request for them, highlighting their ambition and Jesus's response about serving rather than seeking status.
Luke 22:24This verse shows the disciples arguing about who is the greatest, revealing a recurring theme of ambition and a misunderstanding of Jesus's kingdom that surfaces in Mark 10:35.
John 13:14Jesus's act of washing the disciples' feet, and his subsequent teaching in this chapter, directly contrasts with the self-serving request of James and John, emphasizing humility and service over status.
Philippians 2:3This passage teaches believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' offering a clear counterpoint to the prideful request made by James and John.
1 Peter 5:2Peter, who was present during this event, later instructs elders to 'shepherd the flock of God that is among you... not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you do,' which echoes Jesus's correction to James and John about true leadership.
calvinMark 10:35-40: "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."
- Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping, [651] and asking something from him. 21. And he said to her, What wilt thou? She saith to him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, one at thy right hand, and the other at the left, in thy kingdom. 22. And Jesus answering said, You know not what you ask. Can y…
clarkeMark 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."
And James and John - come unto him - The request here mentioned, Matthew says, Matthew 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…
James and John aren't just asking for a promotion; they're seeking a pre-ordained, high-ranking position in Jesus' kingdom, revealing their limited, worldly understanding of his coming reign. Jesus’ response immediately challenges their ambition by linking earthly glory to a shared experience of his suffering, a profound connection they initially fail to grasp.
Jesus has just told his disciples for the third time that he is going to Jerusalem to suffer and die, but they are still focused on earthly power and status. James and John, perhaps emboldened by their mother Salome, approach Jesus with a bold request for the highest positions in his future kingdom, showing a profound misunderstanding of his mission. This request, made while Jesus is on his way to face suffering and death, reveals their ambition and ignorance of the true nature of his kingdom.
Jesus has just told his disciples for the third time that he is going to Jerusalem to suffer and die, but they are still focused on earthly power and status. James and John, perhaps emboldened by their mother Salome, approach Jesus with a bold request for the highest positions in his future kingdom, showing a profound misunderstanding of his mission. This request, made while Jesus is on his way to face suffering and death, reveals their ambition and ignorance of the true nature of his kingdom.
"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”" — James and John aren't just asking for a promotion; they're seeking a pre-ordained, high-ranking position in Jesus' kingdom, revealing their limited, worldly understanding of his coming reign. Jesus’…
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Last reviewed October 2026