Mar 10:35-43 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 10:35-45: 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.

Summary for Mark 10:35-45: 10:35-45 ^a Following Jesus’ third prediction of his suffering (10:32-33 ^b) comes another example of the disciples’ failure (see 8:31-33 ^c; 9:31-34 ^d). The first part of the account involves the foolish request of James and John (10:35-37 ^e) and Jesus’ reply to them (10:38-40 ^f). Then Jesus explains to the other disciples what greatness and leadership in the Kingdom of God mean (10:41-44 ^g). Jesus’ own supreme example of servanthood (10:45 ^h) illustrates and concludes this account.
10:37 ⁱ The brothers’ request indicates that James and John correctly understood that Jesus was the Messiah (see 8:29 ^j; 9:2-8 ^k). However, they completely misunderstood what it meant to be a leader in God’s Kingdom (10:41-45 ^l).
10:38 ^m The two brothers didn’t know what they were asking: To share in his glory, they must share in his suffering as servants.

• to drink from the bitter cup: Drinking from a cup is often associated with suffering and death (Ps 75:8 ⁿ; Isa 51:17 ^o, 22 ^p; Jer 25:15 ^q; 49:12 ^r; Lam 4:21 ^s; see also Mark 14:24 ^t, 36 ^u).

• The baptism of suffering recalls Jesus’ total commitment to God’s calling at his baptism, and it speaks of the believer’s own baptism into Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-5 ^v; Col 2:12 ^w).
10:39 ^x James and John did indeed drink a bitter cup ... of suffering for Jesus. James died for his faith (Acts 12:1-5 ^y). John died an old man, having experienced persecution (Tertullian, The Soul 50; Jerome, Commentary on Galatians 6, 10). Yet the death of James and John was not the same as that of Jesus—no believer can die Jesus’ death as a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world (Mark 10:45 ^z) or experience the divine wrath as he did (15:34 ^aa).
10:40 ^ab Whatever James and John would experience, Jesus did not have the authority to grant their request. Only God the Father could (see also 13:32 ^ac).
10:41 ^ad the ten other disciples ... were indignant: Perhaps they wanted the special places requested by James and John for themselves. All of Jesus’ disciples needed a new understanding of what leadership in God’s Kingdom means (10:42-45 ^ae).
Summary for Mark 10:42-44: 10:42-44 ^af The unbelieving world (the rulers in this world) thinks that leadership means lording it over others. Just as Jesus’ role as Messiah and Son of God meant suffering and death (8:31 ^ag; 9:31 ^ah; 10:32-34 ^ai, 45 ^aj), being his follower involves serving others, not ruling over them (9:35 ^ak; John 10:11 ^al).