Lexical Summary prosporeuomai: To approach, to go towards, to come near Original Word: προσπορεύομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance approach, go before. From pros and poreuomai; to journey towards, i.e. Approach (not the same as proporeuomai) -- go before. see GREEK pros see GREEK poreuomai see GREEK proporeuomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and poreuomai Definition to come near NASB Translation came (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4365: προσπορεύομαιπροσπορεύομαι; to draw near, approach: with a dative of the person approached, Mark 10:35. (The Sept.; Aristotle, Polybius) Topical Lexicon Contextual Usage in Mark 10:35 In the sole New Testament occurrence of Strong’s Greek 4365, Mark records, “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him…” (Mark 10:35). The verb highlights a deliberate, physical movement toward Jesus at a decisive moment on the road to Jerusalem. Mark’s narrative has just disclosed Christ’s third and most detailed passion prediction (Mark 10:32-34). The brothers’ approach, therefore, sets their personal ambition in stark contrast with the self-sacrifice Christ is about to embrace. Discipleship and the Posture of Approach Approaching the Master is a hallmark of discipleship; yet motive matters. James and John arrive with confidence in His authority, but their request for positions of honor (Mark 10:37) exposes the lingering influence of worldly greatness. Jesus does not rebuke their coming; He redirects their expectations, moving the discussion from privilege to participation in His “cup” and “baptism” of suffering (Mark 10:38-39). The episode teaches that genuine nearness to Christ entails readiness to share His cross before sharing His glory. Comparative Biblical Theology of Drawing Near 1. Old Covenant worship required priests to “draw near” under the covering of sacrifice (Leviticus 10:3). Against this canonical background, Mark 10:35 shows that physical proximity to Jesus must be matched by an interior alignment with His redemptive mission. Without that alignment, approach turns into presumption. Implications for Prayer and Petition James and John formulate a bold request: “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory” (Mark 10:37). Their example reminds the church that: Historical-Cultural Background First-century Jewish culture assigned greatest honor to the right and left of a king at table. The brothers’ desire reflects both hope in the Messiah’s imminent reign and misunderstanding of its nature. Jesus, en route to the Passover that will inaugurate the New Covenant, reframes kingship around the Suffering Servant motif of Isaiah 53. Thus, the historical scene intensifies the theological lesson: messianic glory is reached by the path of sacrificial service. Ministerial Applications 1. Leadership Formation: Elders and ministry trainees are called to “approach” responsibility with humility, recognizing that position is stewardship, not entitlement (1 Peter 5:1-4). Christological Significance Jesus allows imperfect disciples to come near, illustrating His patient instruction. By granting audience yet challenging motives, He reveals Himself as both accessible Lord and refining Teacher. Ultimately, His own “approach” to Jerusalem culminates in the cross, where the Son of Man gives His life “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The one occurrence of Strong’s 4365 thus becomes a doorway into the Gospel’s twin themes of nearness and self-giving love. Forms and Transliterations προσέρρανεν προσπορεύεσθαι προσπορεύεσθωσαν προσπορευομένοις προσπορευόμενον προσπορευομενος προσπορευόμενος προσπορευομένων προσπορευονται προσπορεύονται προσπορεύωνται προσρανεί prosporeuontai prosporeúontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 10:35 V-PIM/P-3PGRK: Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ Ἰάκωβος NAS: of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, KJV: of Zebedee, come unto him, INT: And come up to him James |
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