Mark 10:36

Mark 10:36, in plain English

Jesus asked them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' He always gives people the chance to say what's on their heart — even when the answer reveals something uncomfortable.

Why it's here

Jesus asks this same question to a blind man later in this chapter. The blind man asks for sight; James and John ask for status. The contrast says everything.

Who's speaking

Jesus responds with a genuine, open question.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus didn't shut them down. He asked, 'What do you want?' And their answer would reveal exactly where their hearts were — and where they still needed to grow.

The scholarly reading

Jesus' open-ended question 'What do you want Me to do?' (ti thelete poiēsō hymin) parallels His question to blind Bartimaeus (v.51). The contrast between the two responses reveals spiritual blindness versus physical blindness.

Language and setting

This identical question to two different parties exposes their hearts: James and John seek status; Bartimaeus seeks sight. The blind man sees more clearly than the disciples.

Voice

Jesus invites James and John to state their request.

Significance

Jesus does not refuse the conversation but asks what they want. The same question He will later ask a blind beggar reveals the ironic difference: the blind man will ask for what truly matters.

34who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”

35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36“What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.

37They answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.”

38“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?”

Read all of Mark 10 — Jesus redefines greatness. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give His life as a ransom.