1. Mark 10:37 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why did the James and John approach Jesus with this particular request at this time?

Mark 10:37 (ESV)

37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Now follows the official request: Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory! The coming glory was implied in the promises of reward that Jesus had given not long before (Mark 10:30; see especially Matthew 19:28: sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel).

The end of the last announcement of suffering (Mark 10:32–34) gave a starting point for questions about the promised glory (rising on the third day). The concrete request asks no more than some further information about the assigning of places in connection with the promise that had already been made to the disciples (sitting on thrones with Christ).

The request of the sons of Zebedee therefore concerns the places of honour within the circle of the twelve.1