Section 10:35–45

James and John asked Jesus for great honor in his kingdom

In this section, Jesus taught his disciples that they should serve other people. They should not expect other people to honor them. James and John asked for special honor in Jesus’ kingdom. The other disciples became angry that James and John asked for that honor. Jesus responded by teaching them all how his followers should act. They should serve others rather than try to rule over them. Jesus said that even he himself came to serve others and to sacrifice himself for them.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Teaches about Serving Others (New Living Translation)
-or-
The Places Of Honor In God’s Kingdom (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
What James and John requested

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 20:20–28 and Luke 22:24–27.

Paragraph 10:35–40

10:35a

Then: This verse is the beginning of a new section. The events in this section probably happened immediately after the events in the preceding section. The Berean Standard Bible introduces this story with the word Then.

Here are some other ways to translate this in English:

Soon after that
-or-
After that

In some languages, a time word or phrase is not necessary. Introduce this story in a natural way in your language.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee: James and John were two of Jesus’ disciples. See how you translated the names James, John, and Zebedee in 1:19b.

came to Jesus: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is more literally “him” (see the New International Version). The Berean Standard Bible uses the word Jesus here because it is natural in English to use a person’s name at the beginning of a new section. Refer to Jesus in a way that is natural in your language.

came: James and John were already near Jesus (see 10:32d). You should not translate the verb came in a way that implies that they arrived from far away.

Here are some other ways to translate came:

approached (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
came forward (Revised Standard Version)

10:35b

Teacher: James and John addressed Jesus as Teacher. The disciples and others often addressed Jesus this way. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. Use a proper term for that meaning. In some languages the appropriate way to address a religious teacher may be:

Sir Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

Be careful not to use a term that can refer only to a school teacher. This word also occurs in 4:38c.

we want You to do for us whatever we ask: James and John used these words to introduce their request. They wanted Jesus to agree to do what they would request.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

We want you to do us a favour. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
we want you to do for us whatever we ask (NET Bible)

In some languages it may be more natural to express this as a question. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Teacher, will you do us a favor?

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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