Mark 10:42 — Community Reflections

MARK 10:42 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.”

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 — the Gentile power model is the contrast case: the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their subjects, exercising authority for their own benefit, using position for domination. The description is accurate and recognizable to any person living under Roman rule. This is the model of power the disciples are implicitly assuming when they argue about greatness and request the best seats.

Church Fathers on Mark 10:42

The other Apostles are indignant at seeing James and John seeking for honour; wherefore it is said, 'And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.' For being influenced by human feelings, they were moved with envy; and their first displeasure arose from their seeing that they were not taken up by the Lord; before that time they were not displeased, because they saw that they themselves were honoured before other men. At this time the…
Theophylact · 11th century

In which He teaches, that he is the greater, who is the less, and that he becomes the lord, who is servant of all: vain, therefore, was it both for the one party to seek for immoderate things, and the other to be annoyed at their desiring greater things, since we are to arrive at the height of virtue not by power but by humility.
Bede · 8th century

Read all 4 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!