Mark 10:35-45

James and John Seek the Highest Place (10:35-45).

The words of Jesus found in Matthew 19:28, not recorded by Mark, had struck home. They appealed more to the thinking of the disciples than the talk of death. And James and John, as part of the Inner Three, egged on by their mother (Matthew 20:20), came with her to Jesus to seek to supplant Peter. Possibly they felt that Peter, having been addressed by Jesus as ‘Satan' (Mark 8:33), was at present vulnerable as leader of the group. And besides they were related to the high priestly set which gave them prestige. They were the well connected ones (John 18:15). (How hard it is for those who are well connected to put themselves on a level with others).

This self-seeking is deliberately set against the previous words to bring out its enormity, but we need not assume it immediately followed it. They would soon learn what being a leader meant in Jesus' eyes.