Mark 10:35-45
Please consider your sponsorship or support of The Text This Week.
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Primary comparative texts about Food & Fellowship (including "one who serves"), at (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
- "Jesus' Baptisms," "Leader as Servant," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- Patristic Commentary on Mark 10:32-45 from the Catena Aurea.
- Chapter XIV, The Martyrdom of Polycarp (ca. 156).
- XXX.47-52; XXXI.1-4; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
- I.XXI.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- I.9, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- V.III, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- VII.XXIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- Concerning Works and Almsgiving -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 254)
- From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "The magistrates according to God's appointment rule over their subjects: but the pastors are not called to rule, but to serve according to the example of the Son of God himself who went before them, for in doing such he also was a minister of his Father's will."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
- "If Jesus would gratify all our desires, it would soon appear that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of his cup, or to have his baptism; and should often be ruined by having our prayers answered. But he loves us, and will only give his people what is good for them."
- From
Wesley's Notes.
- "Them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. For these only eternal life is prepared. To these, only he will give it in that day; and to every man his own reward, according to his own labour."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "In the kingdom about to be set up, this principle shall have no place. All My servants shall there be equal; and the only greatness known to it shall be the greatness of humility and devotedness to the service of others. He that goes down the deepest in these services of self-denying humility shall rise the highest and hold the chiefest place in that kingdom; even as the Son of man, whose abasement and self-sacrifice for others, transcending all, gives Him of right a place above all!"
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
Mark 10:35-45, Mark G. Vitalis Hoffman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2015.
- "When Jesus gives his life as a ransom, he frees us not to become great as the world understands greatness, but to serve others as slaves of Christ. "
- "The Ability of Ableness," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
- "If discipleship is always certainty from the pulpit, from your pulpit, then your preaching is no more than statements of feigned and false faith, rather than an invitation to newness of belief."
- "Who Will You Serve?" David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
- "This assertion – that you will always serve something or someone whether you know it or not – is at the very heart of not simply today's passage but much of Mark's Gospel."
- "Saving and Losing One's Life/Soul," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2015.
- "If we see Jesus – not as a singular Messiah who goes to the cross so that we don't have to, but as the one who calls us to follow him in his way to the cross – Mark 10:45 will move us from a personalistic, safe approach to discipleship and toward a daring, self-giving approach to discipleship."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching commentary and sermon illustrations, Scott Hoezee, 2015.
- "...how often does our drinking of Jesus' cup in this way transform our lives? Or are we about as likely as James and John to turn right around and, come Monday morning, start angling for power (in the world, in the church, in our business, in our family . . . wherever)?"
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "The Politics of Service," Alastair Roberts, Political Theology Today, 2015.
- "Self-advancement and domination of others remain fundamental themes in our politics..."
- "James, John, Jesus and my Great Aunt Esther," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
- "What other examples can you offer of those who have drunk the cup that Jesus drank or were baptized with his baptism? How does their witness inform your life?"
- The Bartimaeus Effect, notes on the gospel text, Travis Meier, 2015.
- "How do we continue to shape ourselves as servant leaders?"
- "On Being Made Able," Thomas Beam, 2015.
- "The church is therefore called to spend ourselves… to serve, and not to be served."
- Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2015.
- "The Fire This Time," Nancy Rockwell, The BIte in the Apple, 2015.
- "Our persistent disbelief in the power of forgiveness is shown in the godliness and glory we seek in condemning others, and in the value we all place on achievements and power..."
- "Servants of God," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2015.
- "The gospel writer, Mark, seems to be setting up a pattern here: whenever Jesus speaks about his suffering and death, the disciples follow it by ignoring his words and demanding greatness on the world's terms. Is this a hint at how difficult Jesus' words are for us all? No doubt."
- "Downward Mobility," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2015.
- "When the "great" among us only seek to benefit and further enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us, it leads to the disintegration of society.But Jesus said that the way to life is found elsewhere. It's found by giving ourselves away as he did. When we follow that path, then we see real justice, peace, and harmony in our world."
- Comentario del San Marcos 10:35-45 por Dynna Castillo Portugal, WorkingPreacher, 2015.
- "Not to Be Served but to Serve," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2015.
- Commentary,
Mark 10:35-45, Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2012.
- "Jesus is, as he tells James and John after their request, a servant Messiah. And to follow a servant Messiah means, well, to be a servant..."
- "Is It Possible to Govern 'Biblically'?" Matthew L. Skinner, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2012.
- "...Jesus’ model of self-sacrifice wouldn’t do much to provide for the common defense, I suspect."
- "James and John call 'Shotgun!''" D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
- " Is Jesus speaking to all twelve and including James and John in his comments regarding the way of the Gentiles? Or, is the indignation of the ten more egregious and reflective of the Gentile means of trying to attain greatness than the request of James and John?"
- James and John Argue over the Best Place, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
- "Do for Us Whatever We Ask," Michael Coffey, 2012.
- "Jesus' Call to Servant-hood," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
- "Can you relate to James and John? Why or why not? What are the measures of 'success' or 'status' which call you to choose something other than servant-hood?"
- "Invitation to the 'Suffer' Club," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2012. 2009.
- "The thing about being part of the 'suffer' club is this: there is beauty, joy, and hope in serving others. And when we suffer, or share the suffering of others, we learn what it means to be fully dependent on Jesus. our righteousness being perfected in each step of the journey."
- "Glory, Glory," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2012.
- "Maybe Jesus 'buys us back' by showing us a way out of the devastating cycle of looking for glory, joy, and peace on the world's terms by teaching and showing us how to receive by giving, how to lead by serving, and how to find our lives by losing them for the sake of the people around us that God loves so much."
- "Everyone needs an enemy!" Peter Woods, I am listening..., 2012.
- "First," Nancy Rockwell, Bite in the Apple, 2012.
- Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012.
- "In a radical reversal, Jesus says that true life comes from denying one's evolutionary instincts and following instead the "way" of the True Lord."
- "Playing to Win," Linda Fabian Pepe, Theological Stew, 2012.
- "...we can play hard, and we can play to win, but we also play together."
- "Stupid Disciple Tricks," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2012.
- "Within our hearts are both humility and arrogance, respect for others and a desire to outshine them, a desire to serve and a craving to be served. The one you feed wins."
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours,
Mark 10:35-45, David Ewart, 2012.
- "Jesus says that his followers are to treat one another as they would treat their own family: meeting each other's needs without concern for pay back."
- Canticle of Christ's Call to Serve, Success and Failure, compiled by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, 2012.
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Comentario del Evangelio por Pablo E. Rojas Banuchi, Marcos 10:35-45, Working Preacher, 2012.
- Commentary,
Mark 10:35-45, Matt Skinner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2009.
- "This passage plays a key role in the Gospel according to Mark's understanding of why Jesus dies and what his death means."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "Save Forever," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
- "The incarnation is not only about who God is, it’s also about what God is doing; God is in the process of restoring all things. The incarnation means that by fully entering our reality and fully sharing our humanity, God has done all that needs to be done to really and truly redeem us all."
- A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 8:27 - 10:52, Carl W. Conrad. (Click superscript numbers for commentary.)
- "James and John Want to Be at Jesus' Right Hand," Michael A. Turton's Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the Gospel of Mark."
- Exegetical
Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks
Christian Resources.
- "While we are not called to be a ransom for many, are we as individuals and congregation's called to be self-sacrificing (not maintaining ourselves) in our mission to serve each other and be slaves to all?"
-
"First
Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary,"
Pentecost 21, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Jesus was powerful. The liberation he lived did not require him to seek power for his own sake, but to own the power he had in compassion and in self giving."
- "The Example of Jesus," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
- "Having the Heart and Hands of a Servant," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
-
"Jesus' Idea of Authority," Ordinary 29B, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into
Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian
Meditation. Claretian Publications.
- "Many people think of religion as a way of avoiding or getting around reality, and of the Bible as a kind of holy religious book. Both assumptions are very far from the truth."
-
"The Glory of Christian Leadership,"
Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A
Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's
Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
- "What sorts of ambitions do people have? How do these ambitions affect those around them?"
-
"Whoever Wishes to Become Great," Ron Starenko, Sabbatheology,
The Crossings Community, 2009.
- "So, whoever wishes to become great among us here today, there is still only one way to go and live, and that is to serve as he did, as he still does."
- Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 29B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
- "Mark 10: Journey to Jerusalem," wikipedia.
-
"Minjung
and Power: A Biblical and Theological Perspective on Doularchy
(Servanthood)," Kim Yong-Bock, at Religion
OnLine.
- "Power has been the perennial problem in human history. The reality of power is complex; and its use and misuse in all human, social and political relations and interactions has been a question of utmost importance for all peoples. In movements for liberation from oppression, the question has been always raised not only in terms of use or misuse, but also in terms of the very nature of power."
-
"God
Speed the Year of Jubilee! The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics," by Ched
Myers in Sojourners. Part two:
"Jesus'
New Economy of Grace."
- "We Christians must talk about economics, and talk about it in light of the gospel."
- Commentary,
Mark 10:35-45, Mark G. Vitalis Hoffman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2015.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Carder, Kenneth L.,
"The Call to Downward Mobility," The Christian Century, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Chapman, Stephen B., "Sons of
Entitlement," The Christian Century, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Copenhaver, Martin B.,
"Jostling for Position," The Christian Century, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Dowd, Sharyn and
Elizabeth Struthers Malbon,
"The Significance of Jesus' Death in Mark: Narrative Context and Authorial
Audience," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hutchison, John C., "Servanthood: Jesus'
Countercultural Call to Christian Leaders," Bibliotheca Sacra,
2009.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kim, Yung Suk,
"Jesus' Death in Context,"
The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also
"Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Koyama, Kosuke,
"A Holy Mystery: Welcoming a Little Child," The Living Pulpit,
2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Neyrey, Jerome H., S.J.,
"Questions, Chreiai, and Challenges to Honor: The Interface of Rhetoric and
Culture in Mark's Gospel," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Preiss, Théo,
"The Son of Man Came to Minister," Interpretation, 1950.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Reardon, Patrick
Henry,
"The Cross, Sacraments and Martyrdom: An Investigation of Mark 10:35-45,"
St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Roose, Hanna,
"Sharing in Christ's Rule: Tracing a Debate in Earliest Christianity,"
Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Santos, Narry F.,
"Jesus' Paradoxical Teaching in Mark 8:35; 9:35; and 10:43-44,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Santos, Narry F.,
"The Paradox of Authority and Servanthood in the Gospel of Mark,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Seeley, David,
"Rulership and Service in Mark 10:41-45," Novum Testamentum,
1993.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Simpson, Stacey
Elizabeth,
"Mark: The Movie," The Christian Century, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Smart, James D.,
"Mark 10:35-45: Expository Article," Interpretation, 1979.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wadell, Paul J., "Living by the Word: Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45," The Christian Century,
2009.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Willimon, William,
"On Being a Survivor," The Christian Century, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
- Carder, Kenneth L.,
"The Call to Downward Mobility," The Christian Century, 1997.
- Sermons:
- "Quantum Physics and the Nature of Eternity," Nicholas Knisely, Day1, 2015.
- "The Drum Major Instinct," Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1968. Another link with sound file.
- "But It Shall Not Be So With You," Samuel Wells, Faith and Leadership, 2009.
- "Good News?" Bishop William H. Willimon, Day 1, 2009.
- "Having the Heart and Hands of a Servant," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "Ambitions - Yours and Jesus'," 25 July 2004, Walter Harms, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
- "Finding the Way to Joy," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2003.
- "The Journey," the Rev. Dr. Thomas Lane Butts, Day 1, 2000.
- "A Sermon on Mark 10:45," Geerhardus Vos, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 24, 2015, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
- "Who Is the Greatest?" Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Humility," Fr. Max Bowers, Kid's Church.
- "To Be Like Jesus," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "Who Will Sit at Jesus' Right and Left Hand?" Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- Mark 9 & 10 Crossword, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
- Drama:
- "The Right and the Left Seats," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, Mark 10:45, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: Mark 10:35-45, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Mark 10:35-45 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
- Mark 10:35-45, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Commercial Site: "The Drum Major Instinct," (Mark 10:35-45) Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
- Hymns and Music:
- "Sons of Thunder, James and John," a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, based on the story of the ambitious request of James and John to Jesus to sit with him in glory and Jesus' call to humble service. Tune: ST. KEVIN ("Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain")
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Mark 10:38, 44, 45. The Cyber Hymnal.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Literary References and Comparative Texts:
- "Prayer for All," St Francis of Assisi. ("Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace...")
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Mark
