Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 10:37

"And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on [thy] left hand, in thy glory." — Mark 10:37 (ASV)

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

There was, undoubtedly, much that was wrong about this request, and you have often heard that view of the matter dwelt upon, so I will call your attention to what was right about it.

These disciples showed their faith that this same Jesus, who was to be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon, and killed, would still reign; and I think it was wonderful faith that, after they had heard from his own lips, in sorrowful detail, the description of how he would die, yet nevertheless they so fully believed in his kingdom that they asked to have a share in its honours. It is true that they were ambitious, but their ambition was to be near the Saviour. It would be well if all those who ask for right hand and left hand places wanted them at the right hand and the left hand of the Saviour.