Mark 10:35-40

New International Reader's Version

James and John Ask Jesus for a Favor

³⁵ James and John came to Jesus. They were the sons of Zebedee. “Teacher,” they said, “we would like to ask you for a favor.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right hand in your glorious kingdom. Let the other one sit at your left hand.”

³⁸ “You don’t know what you’re asking for,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup of suffering I drink? Or can you go through the baptism of suffering I must go through?”

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink. And you will go through the baptism I go through. ⁴⁰ But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or left hand. These places belong to those they are prepared for.”