35 And there come near to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying, 'Teacher, we wish that whatever we may ask for ourselves, thou mayest do for us;' 36 and he said to them, 'What do ye wish me to do for you?' 37 and they said to him, 'Grant to us that, one on thy right hand and one on thy left, we may sit in thy glory;' 38 and Jesus said to them, 'Ye have not known what ye ask; are ye able to drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the baptism that I am baptized with—to be baptized?' 39 And they said to him, 'We are able;' and Jesus said to them, 'Of the cup indeed that I drink of, ye shall drink, and with the baptism that I am baptized with, ye shall be baptized; 40 but to sit on my right and on my left, is not mine to give, but—to those for whom it hath been prepared.' 41 And the ten having heard, began to be much displeased at James and John, 42 but Jesus having called them near, saith to them, 'Ye have known that they who are considered to rule the nations do exercise lordship over them, and their great ones do exercise authority upon them; 43 but not so shall it be among you; but whoever may will to become great among you, he shall be your minister, 44 and whoever of you may will to become first, he shall be servant of all; 45 for even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 10:35-45
Commentary on Mark 10:32-45
(Read Mark 10:32-45)
Christ's going on with his undertaking for the salvation of mankind, was, is, and will be, the wonder of all his disciples. Worldly honour is a glittering thing, with which the eyes of Christ's own disciples have many times been dazzled. Our care must be, that we may have wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with him; and we may trust him to provide what the degrees of our glory shall be. Christ shows them that dominion was generally abused in the world. 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.