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Why did the disciples, and the mother of James and John, seem so concerned about their status within the group of disciples? eg Mark 9 – but others too.
I am wondering if there is more to this than pride – which is surely part of the answer. However, though as adults we are definitely concerned about our status, arguments between adults about ‘I am greater than you’ are far from common – in my experience.
Is there some detail about the rabbi-disciple relationship here that is missed by a simple discussion of pride? Was there something at stake that is more significant than just ‘I am better than you’?
(originally posted on ‘Christianity’ but was told that was the wrong place)
Troy Day
Neil Steven Lawrence Philip Williams @followers This question reflects the pervasive concern with honor-shame dynamics in first-century Mediterranean culture, where social positioning within groups determined access to resources and communal standing. The disciples’ preoccupation with status reveals their incomplete understanding of Jesus’ kingdom theology, which fundamentally inverted conventional hierarchical structures through servant leadership paradigms.
Bishop Charles Alochi
That’s when we are not regenerated! Our thoughts are all in earthly things, and so we strive with one another!
Pentecostal Theology
Bishop Charles Alochi It’s striking how the disciples’ concerns mirror our ongoing struggle with pride and self-importance. Even after walking closely with Jesus, they wrestled with old patterns shaped by culture and personal ambition. Christ’s response—a call to humility and servanthood—challenges us all to rethink greatness not as position or recognition, but as self-giving love. The true transformation of the heart is seen when our identity rests not in status, but in faithfully serving others, following the example He set. Glynn Brown Neil Steven Lawrence Junior Beasley Kyle Williams