ACC ~ Mark 10 v35a

THE PLEA FOR PRIVILEGED POSITION

BEDE: They knew that among the disciples they were warmly loved by our Lord, that together with the blessed Peter they had often been informed of hidden mysteries of which the rest were unaware, as the text of the holy gospel frequently indicates. [1] Thus a new name was given to them, just as it was to Peter. As the one who was formerly called Simon was given the name of Peter on account of the strength and firmness of his unassailable faith, so they were called Boanērges, that is, sons of thunder, [2] because they heard, along with Peter, the voice of the Father honoring the Lord, [3] and they recognized the secrets of the mysteries more than the rest of the disciples. They sensed that they clung to our Lord with their whole heart and embraced him with the greatest love. So they did not disbelieve that it was possible that they would be sitting closely on either side of him in the kingdom, particularly when they saw that John, for his singular purity of mind and body, was held in such great love that he rested on his breast at supper. [4] EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 2.21. [5]

[1] As in the transfiguration narrative. Cf. Mt 17:1-3; Mk 5:37; 9:2-4; 14:33; Lk 8:51; 9:28-30.

[2] Mk 3:16-17.

[3] HE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL | MARK 1:1-5

[4] Jn 13:23.

[5] Cetedoc 1367, 2.21.42; HOG 2:212-13*.

THEIR PLEA TRANSCENDED

BEDE: When the sons of Zebedee were seeking from Jesus seats in his kingdom, he at once called them to drink of his chalice, [1] that is, to pattern themselves after the struggle of his suffering. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 2.21. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 20:22; Mk 10:38.

[2] Cetedoc 1367, 2.21.19; HOG 2:212*.