Lent · Fifth Sunday in Lent · Year B
Mark 10:(32-34) 35-45
The Request of James and John
March 14, 2027
Overview & Insights
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
This is the final set of events in Jesus’s public ministry, as the rest of Mark will cover the passion week, crucifixion, and resurrection. The “road to Jerusalem” has centered on two things: the passion predictions (the final and most detailed of the three is here) and discipleship (Jesus calling his followers to join him on the path of servanthood and suffering). So this passage sums up the emphases of 8:31–10:52 and prepares the way for the passion events to follow (the complex prediction in vv. 32–34 points forward to those events).
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Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Mark Chapter 10 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the third passion prediction and the request of James and John for greatness.
Commentary on Mark 10:35-45 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the same passage from its RCL Ordinary 29 slot, on servant leadership and the ransom saying.
Mark 10:35-45 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the ransom for many and Jesus' life as the measure of greatness.
Mark 10 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep evangelical study collating sources on the passion prediction and the cup of suffering with word notes.
Mark 10:35 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic public-domain commentaries gathered verse by verse for the passage.
Background & Word Study
Mark | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Mark's authorship, urgency, and the way of the cross.
Book of Mark Overview BibleProject
An animated walk through Mark's design, framing the discipleship-and-service section on the road to Jerusalem.
Mark 10:35 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the word ransom (lytron).
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
What does Jesus teach James and John?
When the brothers ask for the places of honor, Jesus overturns the world's order: whoever would be great must be a servant, for he himself came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
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