Mark 10:32-34
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
10:32-34pp – Mt 20:17-19; Lk 18:31-33
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.
“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
- Where were Jesus and his disciples going? What were the attitudes of the disciples and the other followers?
- What did Jesus want to make sure the disciples knew before they got to Jerusalem, and why?
Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John
10:35-45pp – Mt 20:20-28
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- What did James and John want Jesus to do for them? Why do you think they asked Jesus to agree to the request before they said what it was? Why do you think they asked this now?
- What was Jesus’ response to them, and what was the significance of his answer? Is there a parallel to our current situation today?
- What was the reaction of the other disciples when they heard about James and John’s request?
- What does following Jesus look like in your life? In our shared life together?
Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
10:46-52pp – Mt 20:29-34; Lk 18:35-43
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
- What insight do you gain from the account of Bartimaeus’ recovery of sight?
- Why do you think this account is placed where it is in the gospel of Mark?
