The Quest for Power and Authority in Mark 10:35-42: A Socio-Scientific Reading in Africa

Abstract

Mark 10:35-42 presents a scenario where James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus with a request for positions of power and authority in his kingdom. The text provides insights into the African context, where power dynamics and authority are often highly valued. This article is a social scientic reading of Mark 10:35–42. The purpose here is to demonstrate that James and John misunderstood the meaning of discipleship as presented in Mark. It argues that leaders in Africa will appreciate their positions to serve if they understand the type of discipleship demanded by Jesus. The article contributes to the ongoing research on New Testament scholarship by studying Mark 10:35–42 through social scientic criticism.