Mark 10:40
New International Version
but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

New Living Translation
But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

English Standard Version
but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Berean Standard Bible
But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

Berean Literal Bible
but to sit at My right hand or at My left hand, is not Mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared."

King James Bible
But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

New King James Version
but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

New American Standard Bible
But to sit on My right or on My left is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

NASB 1995
“But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

NASB 1977
“But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Amplified Bible
But to sit on My right or left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared [by My Father].”

Christian Standard Bible
But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.”

American Standard Version
but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.

Contemporary English Version
But it isn't for me to say who will sit at my right side and at my left. This is for God to decide."

English Revised Version
but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give: but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But I don't have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people."

Good News Translation
But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them."

International Standard Version
But it's not up to me to grant you a seat at my right or my left. Those positions have already been prepared for others."

Majority Standard Bible
But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

NET Bible
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared."

New Heart English Bible
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared."

Webster's Bible Translation
But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

Weymouth New Testament
but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved."

World English Bible
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but to sit on My right and on My left is not Mine to give, but—to those for whom it has been prepared.”

Berean Literal Bible
but to sit at My right hand or at My left hand, is not Mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared."

Young's Literal Translation
but to sit on my right and on my left, is not mine to give, but -- to those for whom it hath been prepared.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And to sit from my right hand, and from my left is not mine to give; but for whom it has been prepared.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But to sit on my right hand, or on my left, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But to sit at my right, or at my left, is not mine to give to you, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

New American Bible
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

New Revised Standard Version
but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But to sit at my right and at my left, that is not mine to give; except to those for whom it is prepared.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But for you to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give, except to those for whom it is prepared.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But to sit on my right hand and on my left, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.

Godbey New Testament
but to sit on my right, and on my left, is not mine to give, but is for those for whom it has been prepared.

Haweis New Testament
but to sit on my right-hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; but to those for whom it is prepared.

Mace New Testament
or on my left, is not in my power to grant, except to those for whom it was designed.

Weymouth New Testament
but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved."

Worrell New Testament
but to sit on My right hand, or on My left, is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

Worsley New Testament
but to sit on my right hand and on my left, is not mine to give, but for whom it is prepared.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Request of James and John
39“We can,” the brothers answered. “You will drink the cup that I drink,” Jesus said, “and you will be baptized with the baptism that I undergo. 40But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.…

Cross References
Matthew 20:23
“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:29-30
And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, / so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Acts 1:7
Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Ephesians 1:20-21
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Revelation 3:21
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 20:4
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

1 Kings 2:19
So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.


Treasury of Scripture

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not my to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

Matthew 20:23
And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 17:2,24
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him…

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Mark 10
1. Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;
13. blesses the children that are brought unto him;
17. resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;
23. tells his disciples of the danger of riches;
28. promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;
32. foretells his death and resurrection;
35. bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;
46. and restores to Bartimaeus his sight.














But to sit at My right or left
This phrase refers to positions of honor and authority in the kingdom of God. In ancient times, sitting at the right or left of a king or ruler was a place of high distinction. The Greek word for "sit" (καθίζω, kathizó) implies a settled, established position, indicating permanence and honor. The "right" and "left" symbolize proximity to Jesus, suggesting closeness to His power and glory. Historically, these positions were sought after by those desiring recognition and status, reflecting the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom.

is not Mine to grant
Here, Jesus acknowledges the divine order and submission to the Father's will. The Greek word for "grant" (δίδωμι, didōmi) means to give or bestow, indicating that such authority is not within Jesus' earthly ministry to distribute. This statement emphasizes the Trinitarian relationship and the divine prerogative of God the Father. It reflects Jesus' humility and obedience, aligning with the broader scriptural theme that positions of honor in God's kingdom are determined by divine purpose, not human ambition.

These seats belong to those
This phrase indicates that the positions of honor are already designated. The Greek word for "belong" (εἰμί, eimi) is a form of "to be," suggesting a state of existence or being. It implies that these roles are part of God's sovereign plan, predetermined for specific individuals. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God has a unique purpose and calling for each person, and that His plans are established from eternity.

for whom they have been prepared
The concept of preparation here is significant. The Greek word "prepared" (ἑτοιμάζω, hetoimazō) means to make ready or arrange in advance. This suggests that God, in His omniscience and sovereignty, has already arranged the roles and honors in His kingdom according to His divine will. This preparation underscores the biblical principle that God equips and appoints individuals for specific purposes, and that His plans are perfect and unchangeable. It serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's timing and provision, rather than seeking self-promotion or recognition.

(40) But it shall be given to them.--Better, omitting the interpolated words, is not Mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared. Our Lord disclaims, not the power to give, but that of giving arbitrarily, otherwise than His Father willed.

Verse 40. - But to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared. The Arians gathered from this that our Lord was not of one substance with the Father. But this arose from a misunderstanding of the words. For the antithesis is not here between Christ and the Father; but between James and John on the one side ambitiously seeking the pre-eminence, and those on the ether side to whom it ought of right to be given. St. Jerome wisely says, "Our Lord does not say, 'Ye shall not sit,' lest he should put to shame these two. Neither does he say, 'Ye shall sit,' lest the others should be envious. But by holding out the prize to all, he animates all to contend for it." Our Lord is also careful to point out that he who humbles himself shall be exalted. But Christ is the Giver, not indeed by way of favor to any one who asks, but according to the eternal and unalterable principles laid down by the Father. That Christ is the Giver is plain from St. Luke (Luke 22:29). "I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

to sit
καθίσαι (kathisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2523: Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.

at
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

right
δεξιῶν (dexiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

[My] left
εὐωνύμων (euōnymōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2176: From eu and onoma; properly, well-named, i.e. The left; neuter as adverbial, at the left hand.

is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

Mine
ἐμὸν (emon)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Neuter 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

to grant.
δοῦναι (dounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

[These places belong] to those for whom
οἷς (hois)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

they have been prepared.”
ἡτοίμασται (hētoimastai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2090: To make ready, prepare. From hetoimos; to prepare.


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