Matthew 20:21
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This mother isn't just asking for a favor; she's using the word "command" (or "speak authoritatively") for Jesus's action, revealing her understanding that His future kingdom will operate with His sovereign decree. While she's correctly grasping Jesus's authority, the disciples still frame this authority in terms of worldly power and status, missing the true nature of His kingdom.
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching about humility and service, even predicting his own suffering and death. Now, the mother of James and John, likely prompted by her sons, asks Jesus to grant them the highest positions of honor in his kingdom, misunderstanding his message about suffering and glory. This request reveals their ambition and their earthly expectations of Jesus' reign, rather than a grasp of the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
Salome and her sons, James and John, approached Jesus with a bold request. But what kind of kingdom were they envisioning?
The request from Salome (acting on behalf of her sons, James and John) reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom. They sought prominent positions, "one at your right hand and one at your left," in "your kingdom."
Jesus' response to this ambitious request is one of the most profound lessons on leadership and service in Scripture. What did he reveal about the true cost of honor?
Jesus redirects the conversation from a coveted position to the difficult path of discipleship. He challenges their understanding of what it means to rule and serve.
Understand the original words
basileia · Greek Noun
Refers to the sphere of God's rule and reign, encompassing both the present spiritual reality of His sovereignty in the hearts of believers and the future, consummate manifestation of His kingdom upon the earth. In Jewish thought, it was often anticipated as a political and messianic restoration of Israel.
This request by James and John's mother, Salome, highlights a common human struggle: misunderstanding the nature of spiritual authority and reward. While they had a commendable faith in Jesus' future kingdom, their understanding was heavily influenced by worldly notions of power and prestige, rather than the servant leadership Jesus exemplified.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Galilee
Jesus travels and preaches throughout Galilee, gathering disciples and performing miracles, culminating in his final journey to Jerusalem.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Jesus explicitly tells his disciples he will be handed over, suffer, and be killed, but will rise again on the third day. This teaching is often misunderstood by the disciples.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches on Humility and Service
In response to the disciples' ambition, Jesus teaches that true greatness in his kingdom comes from serving others, contrasting it with the way Gentile rulers exercise authority.
c. AD 30
Salome's Request for Her Sons
Salome, with her sons James and John, approaches Jesus and asks that they be given the highest positions of honor in his future kingdom.
This passage describes how the king's seat at the banquet was empty, implying that the place of honor beside the king was reserved for someone special, mirroring the desire for prominent positions in Jesus' kingdom.
1 Kings 2:19When Bathsheba came to ask Solomon for Adonijah to be married to Abishag, Solomon sat on his throne, and a throne was placed for his mother on his right hand, showing the high honor associated with sitting at the king's right hand.
Psalm 110:1This prophetic psalm speaks of one who will sit at God's right hand, a clear Messianic reference that likely informed the disciples' understanding of exalted positions in the coming kingdom.
Mark 10:35-45This parallel account in Mark shows James and John making the request themselves, highlighting their ambition and Jesus' subsequent teaching that true greatness comes through service, not through being served.
John 13:34-35Jesus' new commandment to love one another as he has loved them provides a stark contrast to the disciples' self-serving ambition, emphasizing that love and service, not status, define his followers.
vincentMatthew 20:21: "And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."
Grant (εἰπὲ)Lit., speak; i.e., with authority. Compare "command these stones," Matthew 4:3; "bid you," Matthew 23:3. Rev., command.
barnesMatthew 20:21: "And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."
Grant that these my two sons may sit ... - They were still looking for a temporal kingdom. They expected that he would reign on the earth with great pomp and glory. They anticipated that he would conquer as a prince and a warrior. They wished to be distinguished in the day of his triumph. To sit on the right and le…
This mother isn't just asking for a favor; she's using the word "command" (or "speak authoritatively") for Jesus's action, revealing her understanding that His future kingdom will operate with His sovereign decree. While she's correctly grasping Jesus's authority, the disciples still frame this authority in terms of worldly power and status, missing the true nature of His kingdom.
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching about humility and service, even predicting his own suffering and death. Now, the mother of James and John, likely prompted by her sons, asks Jesus to grant them the highest positions of honor in his kingdom, misunderstanding his message about suffering and glory. This request reveals their ambition and their earthly expectations of Jesus' reign, rather than a grasp of the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
Just before this, Jesus had been teaching about humility and service, even predicting his own suffering and death. Now, the mother of James and John, likely prompted by her sons, asks Jesus to grant them the highest positions of honor in his kingdom, misunderstanding his message about suffering and glory. This request reveals their ambition and their earthly expectations of Jesus' reign, rather than a grasp of the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 20:21 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 30
Jesus Explains the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus questions if James and John can 'drink the cup' and be 'baptized' with his suffering, emphasizing that His Father determines positions of honor, not Him directly.
"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.”" — This mother isn't just asking for a favor; she's using the word "command" (or "speak authoritatively") for Jesus's action, revealing her understanding that His future kingdom will operate with His so…
