The Servant King
They answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.” Mark 10:37 · Berean Standard Bible
They said, 'Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory.' They wanted the best seats in the kingdom — the positions of greatest honor.
They were dreaming about glory while Jesus was preparing for a cross. Sometimes our prayers reveal how little we understand about what God is actually doing.
James and John reveal their ambition.
They were already planning the seating arrangement for Jesus' coronation. They didn't realize that the 'throne' they were picturing would be a cross, and the seats beside Him would be occupied by criminals.
The request for seats at Jesus' right and left 'in Your glory' (en tē doxē sou) reveals they have grasped the promise of glory but not the path of suffering that precedes it. 'Right' and 'left' denote the positions of highest authority.
Ironically, those who will occupy Jesus' right and left at His moment of 'enthronement' are the two criminals crucified alongside Him (Mark 15:27).
James and John state their desire for positions of supreme authority.
The brothers ask for the two highest seats in the coming kingdom. They envision thrones of glory; Jesus knows the 'throne' will be a cross, with positions on His right and left filled by condemned men.
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?”
39“We can,” the brothers answered.
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.
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