Devine Scripture

Mark 10:35

What does Mark 10:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 10:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 10:35 means

Despite Jesus' clear prophecy of suffering, James and John approach Him with a self-serving request: they want Him to grant them whatever they ask. This reveals their worldly ambition and failure to grasp the true nature of Jesus' kingdom, which is marked by sacrifice and servanthood, not earthly power and prestige. They still expected an earthly, glorious kingdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there came to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying to him, Master, will you give us whatever may be our request?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there come near to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying, `Teacher, we wish that whatever we may ask for ourselves, thou mayest do for us;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to him, saying: Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, thou wouldst do it for us.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there come to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying [to him], Teacher, we would that whatsoever we may ask thee, thou wouldst do it for us.

Context

Immediately after Jesus' third, most explicit prophecy of His suffering and resurrection, James and John make an astonishing request. This moment dramatically highlights the disciples' persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His Kingdom, setting the stage for Jesus to challenge their assumptions directly in the following verses.

v.34and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.

v.35This passage

v.36And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 1:19

    And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets.

  • Mark 14:33

    And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.

  • Matthew 20:20

    Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • 1 Kings 2:20

    Then she said, I ask one small petition of thee; deny me not. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny thee.

  • 2 Samuel 14:4

    And when the woman of Tekoa spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.

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