NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE
chapter 10
32. They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.
33. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles,
34. who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."
35. Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38. "You don’t know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39. "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
40. but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41. When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
42. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
43. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
44. and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
45. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New York UBF Bible Study Materials. Copyright © 2026 New York UBF. All Rights Reserved.
Mark 10:32-45Mark Lesson 35 (2023)
THE REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN
(The Servant-Leadership)
Mark 10:32-45
Key Verse: 10:45
Open it:
-
In what way does society pressure us to seek status and power? What issue do people often argue about?
Explore it:
-
Read verses 32-34. What emotions were displayed by the disciples? Why was there such a range of strong emotions on this trip? What important news did Jesus tell the Twelve once again about what would happen to him? How would Jesus be treated at the time of his death?
-
Read verses 35-37. What was the relationship between James, John, and Jesus? With what attitude did James and John confront Jesus? What did James and John want from Jesus?
-
Read verses 38-40. How did Jesus answer James and John’s request? What were the “baptism” and “cup” of which Jesus spoke? How did Jesus explain to James and John the impossibility of granting what they had requested?
-
Read verses 41-44. How did the other disciples react to James and John’s request? What did Jesus warn all his disciples about? What value did Jesus place on serving? What value did Jesus place on status? How did Jesus advise the disciples regarding greatness? (43-44)
-
Read verse 45. What did Jesus mean when he said he “did not come to be served, but to serve”? (45) How do you need to change your attitude or action in light of Jesus’ words about serving? Jesus, the Son of God, left us a perfect example of humility and service to others. What does this imply for us?
Apply it:
-
What specific act of service could you do this week for someone else? What steps can you take to guard yourself against an attitude of selfishness and greed?