“When the other 10 disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:41‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Indignant means feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

How did the other 10 find out about this? picture this scene, Jesus is walking along the road and has just told all 12 that He was going to Jerusalem to be killed on the cross. While everyone is pondering what Jesus was talking about John took the advantage to approach Jesus with James coming along. They ask Jesus to let them sit at the right and left of Jesus’ throne. While they are talking another disciple overhears John’s question to Jesus. He then falls back to the last disciple in the group and says, “did you hear what I just heard?” At this news, these two began to talk to two more and the news spread to all 10. At this point, there is an annoyance toward James and John at their unfair request to Jesus. They begin to think among themselves, “who do they think they are should it be me, or maybe Peter or maybe Judas?”

Who of us had heard a small part of a bigger conversation and felt indignant about what we just heard? We are two or three different options. First, we could do what the disciples did and start the rumor mill and start talking about it to everyone else but the two parties involved. which would only make the matters worse. second, we could keep it to ourselves and dwell on it making us more and more indignant. Or, third, we could go talk to one or both parties involved and humbly ask what they were talking about. Our first two options lead to strife and division inside the relationships of all people involved. while the third option quiets down the rumor mill.

“Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:20‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/pro.26.20.hcsb

“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.17.21.hcsb

“At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/1ti.5.13.hcsb

Time and time again we only have part of the story. It would be good for us to learn the rest of the story before we act or say anything. If the original disciple had stuck around and heard Jesus’ remark about the seats to the right and left are for God to decide they would have felt they had a chance to prove to God that he was good enough to hold that seat. 

“The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭14:21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.14.21.hcsb