Bible Strands
Mark 10:36
“What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses James and John immediately after they state they want Him to fulfill any request they make. He asks this question before they specify their actual desire for positions of honor in His future glory.
The words — The Greek τὶ θέλετε (ti thelete) renders literally as "what do you desire," and ποιήσω (poiēsō) means "I may do." Jesus uses these terms to force a precise verbalization of their request.
The thread — This structural pattern appears in 1 Kings 3:5 where God invites Solomon to ask, and in John 15:7 where Jesus links answered requests to remaining in His words. Jesus repeats the identical inquiry to the blind man in Mark 10:51.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus demanding a specific, articulated request before acting. It requires readers to confront the exact nature of their own petitions rather than assuming vague or unexamined desires will be granted.
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 he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 3:5 One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
- John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Mark 10:51 “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Rabboni,” said the blind man, “let me see again.”