The Request of James and John (Mk. 10:35-45)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 He replied, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?” 37 They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Peter, James, and John were the ‘inner circle’ among the disciples and witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration (Mk. 9:2-8).  Jesus had previously promised a great reward to all who gave up everything to follow him (Mk. 10:29-30) and had told them about the conditions for discipleship (Mk. 8:34-38).  James and John addressed Jesus as “Teacher (v. 35)” and petitioned him to award them the highest positions on either side of him as he presides over the Messianic Banquet in the kingdom that he was about to establish.  They did not understand that to share in Jesus’ glory in the kingdom meant to share in Jesus’ suffering (cup and baptism).  He explained that their places in the coming kingdom would not be determined by him but by God.

The other apostles were angry with James and John because of their request and Jesus told all of them that those who are of the world craved power and authority to exercise over others, but leadership among the disciples and in the community should be based on serving those entrusted to them.  Those who want status in the kingdom to come must imitate “the Son of Man” and be subservient to all even to death.  

Almighty God, grant us the wisdom to not seek what is beyond our grasp, and the understanding to serve all who are in need.  This we ask through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.