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.

MARK 10:35KJV
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Mark 10:35 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:35 mean?

Mark 10:35 describes James and John, the sons of Zebedee, coming to Jesus and asking him to do whatever they request. The verse shows them approaching Jesus with a bold and open-ended request, calling him "Master" and expressing a desire for him to grant their wish, even before saying what it is.

In this moment, James and John are speaking directly to Jesus as he travels with his disciples. Their approach is striking because they ask Jesus to agree to their request before revealing what it is, which shows both their confidence in him and perhaps a lack of understanding about what they are asking. This sets the stage for the conversation that follows, where Jesus will respond to their request and teach an important lesson about greatness and service.

The Greek behind Mark 10:35

  • "Master" (διδάσκαλε, didaskale): This word means "teacher." By using this title, James and John show respect, but it also highlights their view of Jesus as someone with authority to grant significant requests.
  • "Whatsoever we shall desire" (ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν, ho ean aitēsōmen): The Greek phrase carries the sense of "whatever we might ask" or "anything we request," emphasizing the open-ended and somewhat presumptuous nature of their request.
  • "Desire" (αἰτέω, aiteō): This verb means "to ask" or "to request." It often implies asking for something from someone in a position of authority, which fits the disciples' approach to Jesus here.

Why Mark 10:35 matters

  • Mark 10:35 helps clear up that the disciples, even after spending much time with Jesus, still had expectations about personal honor or privilege, which Jesus would soon address.
  • The verse highlights the human tendency to seek favor or special treatment, even from someone we respect, and sets up a teaching moment about true greatness in God’s eyes.
  • This request connects to the larger theme in Mark 10, where Jesus repeatedly teaches about humility, service, and the upside-down values of his kingdom compared to worldly ambition.

Where else these words appear

“Zebedee” Greek G2199 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
  • Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

“James” Greek G2385 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
  • Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

“Master” Greek G1320 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Mark 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

“desire” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;