Bible Strands
Mark 10:41
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that the ten remaining disciples reacted to Jesus’ statement that He does not decide who sits at His right or left. This occurs immediately after Jesus denies James and John’s request for those seats and before He addresses the group about true authority.
The words — The Greek verb ἀγανακτεῖν (aganaktein) literally means to be indignant or to resent, describing the ten disciples' sharp displeasure toward James and John. The text records this as their direct emotional response to hearing about the request.
The thread — The same event is recorded in Matthew 20:24, showing the identical reaction of the ten to the two brothers. The passage aligns with the warning that arrogance breeds strife in Proverbs 13:10 and stands opposite the command to honor one another in Romans 12:10.
Why it lands — The text states that religious followers can quickly turn to jealousy and status competition when divine timing conflicts with human ambition. It requires the reader to acknowledge their own tendency to measure fairness by personal gain and to submit to God’s sovereign distribution of roles.
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 when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
Cross-references
- Matthew 20:24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
- Proverbs 13:10 Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
- Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- Mark 9:33 Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
- Luke 22:24 A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
- James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?