Mark 10:42

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(42) Exercise lordship. . . . exercise authority.—On the force of the two words, see Note on Matthew 20:25.

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 20:20-28.

Mark 10:35

And James and John ...came unto him - They did this through the instrumentality of their mother. They did not come in "person," but they got their mother to make the request for them. Compare the notes at Matthew 20:20.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

42. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule—are recognized or acknowledged as rulers.

over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them: and their great ones exercise authority upon them—as superiors exercising an acknowledged authority over inferiors.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Ver. 42-45. See Poole on "Matthew 20:25", and following verses to Matthew 20:28, where we had the same almost verbatim. Those that think it worth the while to inquire what critical men say about that phrase, oi dokountev arcein, which we translate they which are accounted to rule, may find it in Pool’s Synopsis Criticorum. When all is said, doubtless the oi arcontev in Matthew, and oi dokountev arcein, and Luke’s oi basileiv, signify the same persons. And our translators might as justifiably have translated those words, the rulers, as

they which are accounted to rule, which is a translation the active participle will hardly bear.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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, 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.

Geneva Study Bible

{8} But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that {h} they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

(8) The magistrates according to God's appointment rule over their subjects: but the pastors are not called to rule, but to serve according to the example of the Son of God himself who went before them, for in doing such he also was a minister of his Father's will.

(h) They to whom it is decreed and appointed.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 10:42. οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν, those who pass for, are esteemed as, rulers: “quos gentes habent et agnoscunt” (Beza); “qui honorem habent imperandi” (Grotius). Some, e.g., Palairet, regard δοκοῦντες as redundant, and take the phrase in Mk. as = Mt.’s οἱ ἄρχοντες. Kypke resolves it into οἱ ἐκ δόγματός τινος ἄρχοντες = “qui constituti sunt ut imperent”.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

42. which] Commonly used at the time our translation was made for the relative “who,” and applied to persons, from the A.-S. hwilc, Mœso-Goth. hwêleiks, literally, who-like. Comp. Latimer’s Sermons, p. 331, “Whosoever loveth God, will love his neighbour, which is made after the image of God.” See Bible Word-Book, p. 528.

are accounted] = those “who profess to exercise rule,” those who have the reputation of being governors. “Qui censentur imperare; i. e. quos gentes habent et agnoscunt, quorum imperio pareant.” Beza.

exercise lordship] The word is used in an unfavourable sense. It is applied in Acts 19:16 to the man possessed with an evil spirit prevailing against and overcoming the seven sons of Sceva. St Peter himself uses it in his first Epistle (Mark 5:3), recalling possibly this very incident, where he warns the elders of the Church “not to be lords over God’s heritage,” or as it is in the margin, “to overrule.” The preposition in the original is emphatic, and gives the force of oppressive, tyrannical rule, where the ruler uses his rights for the diminution of the ruled and the exaltation of himself. The same unfavourable sense attaches to the word rendered “exercise authority,” which only occurs here and in the parallel in Matthew 20:25.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 10:42. Δοκοῦντες) they who think [which are accounted, Engl. Vers.] that they rule. A Metonymy of the antecedent for the consequent; that is, they who strenuously exercise rule. [Worldly princes have but little greatness in the eyes of the Divine Majesty.—V. g.]

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 42. - In these words our Lord does not find fault with that power or authority, whether civil or ecclesiastical, which is exercised by princes or bishops; for this is necessary in every state, and so is sanctioned by Divine and human law. What he condemns is the arbitrary and tyrannical exercise of such power, which the princes of the Gentiles were accustomed to. Mark 10:42

Vincent's Word Studies

Which are accounted to rule

Wyc., that seem to have princehead on folks.