Matthew 20:20-23

What does Matthew 20:20-23 mean?

This moment is crucial because the mother of James and John, likely Salome, "worshipped" Jesus before making her request, revealing a subtle but significant disconnect. She saw Jesus as a King worthy of profound respect, yet her request was a decidedly earthly one for status and power, entirely missing the suffering and humility that would define His kingdom.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Matthew 20:20-23 means

Jesus has just finished teaching the disciples about humility and serving others, even predicting his own suffering and death. At this point, the mother of James and John (likely Salome) approaches Jesus with her sons, asking for them to be given the highest positions in his coming kingdom. This request reveals a lingering misunderstanding among some disciples about the nature of Jesus' reign, mistaking it for an earthly political kingdom rather than a spiritual one centered on service and suffering.

The Unseasonable Timing of Ambition

Imagine a solemn moment, just after discussing sacrifice and suffering, when someone boldly asks for the highest honors. This is exactly what happens here.

This scene unfolds after Jesus has been teaching about humility and service, and has just predicted his own suffering. Yet, in this context, the mother of James and John (likely Salome) approaches Jesus with her sons.

A Misplaced Request

The commentators highlight how incredibly unseasonable this request is. While Jesus is preparing his disciples for a path of hardship and self-denial, they are asking for positions of earthly glory and power. It's like planning a victory parade before the battle has even begun!

The Spirit of Ambition

This incident reveals a common human tendency: ambition. Even those closest to Jesus, who had witnessed his miracles and heard his teachings, could be swayed by a desire for personal exaltation. This ambition wasn't necessarily evil in its origin, but its timing and its focus were deeply misguided.

A Masked Ambition: Family Influence

Why did the mother approach Jesus instead of her sons asking directly? This reveals a strategic, though misguided, maneuver.

The text points out that while Matthew records the mother making the request, Mark's Gospel indicates that James and John themselves approached Jesus. This suggests a coordinated effort.