{7} And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, {g} we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

(7) We must first strive before we triumph.

(g) We pray thee.

People's New Testament

10:35,36 James and John... come unto him, saying, etc. For notes on this ambitious request, see Mt 20:20-28. We learn from Matthew that Salome, the mother, came and spoke for them (Mt 20:20).

Wesley's Notes

10:35 Saying - By their mother. It was she, not they that uttered the words. Mt 20:20.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

35. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying-Matthew (Mt 20:20) says their "mother came to Him with her sons, worshipping Him and desiring," &c. (Compare Mt 27:56, with Mr 15:40). Salome was her name (Mr 16:1). We cannot be sure with which of the parties the movement originated; but as our Lord, even in Matthew's account, addresses Himself to James and John, taking no account of the mother, it is likely the mother was merely set on by them. The thought was doubtless suggested to her sons by the recent promise to the Twelve of "thrones to sit on, when the Son of man should sit on the throne of His glory" (Mt 19:28); but after the reproof so lately given them (Mr 9:33, &c.) they get their mother to speak for them.

Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire-thus cautiously approaching the subject.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.