Mark 10:41-46
Mark 10:41 (KJB)
And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
The other ten disciples had heard what was being discussed and it caused them to
be very angry concerning the request. The way the disciples were thinking, those
who became angry with them were angry based on their own misguided aspirations.
Each one had probably thought they deserved their own place of recognition so
their displeasure was not a holy indignation but more out of a sense of personal
pride. Remember their discussion about who was the greatest in the kingdom of
Heaven? Pentecost did fix all their wrong motives.
Mark 10:42 (KJB)
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.
Seeing that there was almost a “denominational split” among the disciples, Jesus
then gathers to Himself for a better explanation, especially how not to mimic
the world and its powerbrokers. Jesus then brings up two ruling classes.
(Mat 20:25 KJV) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the
princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great
exercise authority upon them. The first one is the princes which would
represent the government. Those in government exercise great dominion over the
people. When they pass laws or when they make a proclamation of some kind, they
expect absolute obedience or there would be consequences for those who disobey.
Then there are those who are great which could represent the wealthy class of
citizens. Today we would call them a plutocracy. We see this played out today in
groups of wealthy people such as the Trilateral Commission or the Bilderbergers.
These two groups plan world policy and then force the government to obey them by
putting their plans into action. While they hold no government office, their
wealth buys them influence with the government resulting in holding great
authority over the people. It is the Bilderbergers who set the gas prices. The
more you spend on gas, the less there is for you.
Mark 10:43 (KJB)
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall
be your minister:
Jesus then contrasts that the way of the world is not going to be the way of the
Kingdom of God. The world’s way places the wealthy and influential at the top
but in the Kingdom of God it is just the opposite. Those who are the great in
the Kingdom of God are the ones who minister. In fact the word “minister” in the
Greek is “servant.” So those in the Kingdom of God that are great are the ones
who serve. Let us make a comparison between the world and the Kingdom of God
concerning rank. The equivalent of the office of President and CEO of
Exxon/Mobil is the Christian who does the most menial task for the Kingdom of
God. (Heb 6:10 KJV) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister.
Mark 10:44 (KJB)
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest,
shall be servant of all.
Chiefest - First
Then Jesus tells it plainly that if you so desire to be first in the Kingdom of
God, then you need to be a servant. In the Kingdom of God, the way up is down,
that is, humble enough to be willing to do the most lowly chores for the Kingdom
of God. The true servant places the needs of others before their own and when a
need arises, they step up to fulfill that need to the best of their ability. The
true servant of God does not seek fame nor fortune, they seek opportunities to
serve with a humble attitude in that service. A story is told about George
Washington who was watching a corporal command his men to do some heavy work.
The General walked over to him and said, “how come you are not helping these
men?” to which the corporal replied, “I am the corporal.” Washington started
helping the men and then turned to the corporal and said, “I am the general.” No
matter what rank we hold in life, we must never let it come between us and our
true desire to serve in the Kingdom of God.
Mark 10:45 (KJB)
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many.
Ransom - A price of redemption
Jesus closes off this discussion by using Himself as an example. As the Son of
God, He could have demanded to be waited on because He was the sovereign of the
universe. He did not do that, instead He showed the real character of the
Kingdom of God by not coming to be ministered unto but to minister. He showed
this very publicly when He washed the feet of His disciples. (John 13:14
KJV) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to
wash one another's feet. Then Jesus states in the second part of the verse
that He not only came to minister, but to give His life as a ransom for many. A
ransom is a price paid for the redemption of a person. In this case, redemption
was being made for the full body of Christ, those whom God named before the
foundation of the world. Notice Jesus says that the ransom will be for many and
not for all. The many are only the Elect of God. (Dan 12:9-10 KJV) And he
said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time
of the end. {10} Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise
shall understand. Daniel had prophesied that in the time of the end, that
is, the time from the cross to the last day, many shall be made white. That
would happen to the Elect through the preaching of the Gospel. As they became
saved, they would be made white, that is, they would be made pure and readied
for Heaven and it would not matter what century after the first it happens in.
Even in the Old Testament the ransom for salvation is evident. (Job 33:24
KJV) Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the
pit: I have found a ransom. Job was delivered from going down to the pit,
that is, Hell itself because he found a ransom in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 10:46 (KJB)
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a
great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway
side begging.
Jesus and His disciples had left the region of Peraea and crossed the Jordan. He
was now ready to leave Jericho and as usual a great crowd had followed Him.
Jericho was about 20 miles (32 KM) northeast of Jerusalem. There were three
towns named Jericho in that region, all in close proximity. There was Old
Testament Jericho, New Testament Jericho, and Jericho. They were located about 3
miles apart from each other.
(Luke 18:35 KJV) And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho,
a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
(Mark 10:46 KJV) And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with
his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the highway side begging.
This scenario has been a puzzle but if you study how the Lord Jesus Christ seeks
faith to do something for someone, the mystery disappears. If you notice in
verse 46, it states that Jesus went out of Jericho. Mark 10:46 tells us that
Jesus had already came to Jericho and that He was on His way outside of Jericho.
Then in Luke 18:35 we read that as they came nigh or near unto Jericho they
encountered a man begging by the side of the road named Blind Bartimaeus.