They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

MARK 10:37KJV
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Mark 10:37 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:37 mean?

Mark 10:37 describes how two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, ask Jesus to let them sit at his right and left hand when he comes into his glory. They are requesting the highest places of honor and authority next to Jesus in his future kingdom.

James and John are speaking directly to Jesus as he travels toward Jerusalem. Their request shows that they expect Jesus to become a powerful king, and they want to be his closest associates. This moment highlights their ambition and their misunderstanding of what Jesus’ glory and leadership truly mean, since they are thinking in terms of status and power.

The Greek behind Mark 10:37

  • δόξῃ (doxē, “glory”): This word often means honor, splendor, or majesty. Here, it shows that James and John are picturing Jesus’ future reign as something grand and royal, not realizing the kind of “glory” Jesus is actually heading toward.
  • δεξιῶν (dexiōn, “right hand”) and εὐωνύμων (euōnymōn, “left hand”): In ancient settings, sitting at the right or left hand of a ruler meant sharing in their authority and prestige. The disciples are asking for the most privileged positions possible.

Why Mark 10:37 matters

  • Mark 10:37 helps clarify that even Jesus’ closest followers sometimes misunderstood his mission, expecting earthly power instead of the path of humility and sacrifice Jesus would soon take.
  • This verse sets up Jesus’ teaching that true greatness in his kingdom comes through serving others, not seeking status for oneself.
  • The request by James and John connects to the wider theme in Mark’s Gospel of the disciples’ ongoing struggle to grasp what following Jesus really involves.

Where else these words appear

“hand” Greek G2176 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
  • Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
  • Mark 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

“sit” Greek G2523 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“hand” Greek G1188 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,