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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 10:35-45

The request of the sons of Zebedee. As we read the history of our Lord's dealings with his disciples, we are amazed at his unfaltering patience. They had preconceived theories about his kingdom which, in spite of his teaching, they held fast till after his death and resurrection. They constantly expected him to assume temporal power. Why he delayed they did not know; the reason for his present obscurity they could not conceive; but to all his allusions to suffering they gave, and were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 10:35-45

The post of honor. How soon are the Master's words misapprehended! James and John, concerning whom it is recorded that on the call of Jesus "they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him," come now apparently to secure the promised reward. With cautious words, and by the aid of their mother, the demand is urged upon that good Master on whose lips are ever the gracious words, "What would ye that I should do for you?" We would fain "sit, one on thy right hand, and one on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 10:35-45

Ambition. It is ambition for place and power that is here illustrated. I. IT IS NATURAL IN THE SENSE IN WHICH ALL HUMAN INSTINCTS ARE NATURAL . 1 . To be without ambition of some kind is a defect of organization; a negative, not a positive; a weakness, not a virtue. Man is man because he aspires. He ceases from his worth when he becomes content to remain what he is. Milton speaks of the last "infirmity of noble minds." It is an infirmity of which a man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 10:35-45

Parallel passage: Matthew 20:20-28 .— The ambition of the apostles: the sons of Zebedee. I. PROBABLE . ORIGIN . Peter and James and John certainly enjoyed a sort of precedence over the other apostles; they were primi inter pares at least, and constituted an inner circle among the members of the apostolic office. They were not only the first called to follow Christ, and to undertake special service in his cause; they had been privileged with his closest confidence; and they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 10:38

It will be observed that in St. Matthew ( Luke 20:20 ). He while Salome is represented as the person who makes the request, the answer is given, not to her, but to her sons. Ye know not what ye ask . Our Lord knew that the sons had spoken in the mother and by the mother. They knew not what they asked Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? It is as though he said, "It is by my cross and passion that I am to attain to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 10:35-45

See the notes at Matthew 20:20-28.Mark 10:35And James and John ...came unto him - They did this through the instrumentality of their mother. They did not come in “person,” but they got their mother to make the request for them. Compare the notes at Matthew 20:20. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 10:35-40

Mark 10:35-40. And James and John come to him, saying By their mother, (see Matthew 20:20,) for it was she, not they, that uttered the words: Master, we would that thou shouldest do, &c. Here, again, the disciples show their utter ignorance of the prophecies, and of their Master’s kingdom, by an action which likewise discovered, in the clearest manner, the temper of mind they were in, and the motives from which they followed Christ. They seem to have fancied that by his resurrection,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 10:32-45

112. The request of James and John (Matthew 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34)As Jesus journeyed towards Jerusalem, he again spoke of his coming death and resurrection, but again his disciples misunderstood. They were still thinking mainly of an earthly kingdom of political power (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34).James and John therefore came to Jesus with a request that they might have the top positions in the kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21; Mark 10:35-37). Jesus, by using the words ‘cup’ and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 10:35

the sons = the [two] sons. would = desire. Greek. thelo. App-102 . desire = ask. App-134 . read more

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