Bible Strands
Mark 10:35
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James and John approach Jesus to make a request immediately after He predicts His impending mockery, flogging, death, and resurrection.
The words — The Greek προσπορεύονται (prosporeuontai) literally means "come up to," describing their physical approach to Jesus.
The thread — This pattern of approaching a leader with a formal request echoes the woman from Tekoa in 2 Samuel 14:4 and the queen mother in 1 Kings 2:16. Matthew 20:20 records a parallel account where their mother makes the approach instead.
Why it lands — The text records an unqualified demand for favor that requires Jesus to clarify the specific request before responding. It asks the reader to confront the gap between human ambition and the reality of Jesus' predicted suffering.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
- 2 Samuel 14:4 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”
- 1 Kings 2:16 So now I have just one request of you; do not deny me.” “State your request,” she told him.
- 1 Kings 2:20 “I have just one small request of you,” she said. “Do not deny me.” “Make your request, my mother,” the king replied, “for I will not deny you.”
- Mark 1:19 Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
- Mark 5:37 And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 14:33 He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.