Context: Mark 8-10 reveals the messianic mystery — Jesus has TWO comings (suffering first, glory later), but the disciples only expect one glorious military conquest. Their argument about who's greatest stems from thinking they're about to rule in an earthly kingdom. They're wrong about both timing and values.

Mark 8:22-24: blind man healed in stages = Peter's partial vision (knows Jesus is Messiah but doesn't understand his mission to die). Mark 8:34-38: take up your cross. Mark 9: Transfiguration — Moses and Elijah discuss Jesus's departure/death. Mark 10:35-37: James and John still ask for thrones. The disciples consistently misunderstand that the first coming is for suffering, not reigning.