Mark 10:42

42 So Jesus called them all together to him and said, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. ¹

Mark 10:42 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 10:42

But Jesus called them to him
Who were at some little distance from him, though so nigh, that he could discern the heat and passion they were in, and knowing that they had the same ambitious views with the two brethren:

and saith unto them,
to check their pride and vanity and reprove them for their ambitious desires of superiority and pre-eminence over, one another; by showing them that this was a part which the Heathens that knew not God acted and therefore was very unbecoming them:

you know that they which are accounted,
or "seem to" or rather "do",

rule over the Gentiles;
or are reckoned worthy of government who are, (Mybwvx) , men of honour, reputation, and esteem; who are either by birth or merit thought to be deserving of high places: these

exercise lordship over them;
rule over them in a lordly tyrannical and arbitrary way:

and their great ones;
their nobles and lords under them

exercise authority over them;
the Gentiles; by a delegated power from those who have the supreme rule; (See Gill on Matthew 20:25).

Mark 10:42 In-Context

40 But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them."

41 When the other ten disciples heard about it, they became angry with James and John.

42 So Jesus called them all together to him and said, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority.

43 This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest;

44 and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all.

Cross References

• 1. 10.42, 43Luke 22.25, 26.