Matthew 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.

Matthew 20:21 (KJV)

Context

This verse records the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, approaching Him with a bold request. She asks that her two sons may sit at His right hand and at His left hand in His kingdom. In the ancient world, these positions were understood as the places of highest honor and authority beside a king. The request comes immediately after Jesus had predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time, which makes the mother’s request especially striking.

Meaning

The mother’s request reflects human ambition and a desire for power and prestige. It reveals a worldly perspective of seeking positions of authority in Jesus’ kingdom. It also shows a misunderstanding of the nature of that kingdom. The disciples, like many of their contemporaries, anticipated an earthly, political kingdom in which Jesus would rule as a king and they would hold positions of power. However, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, the Kingdom of God, in the hearts of people.

Jesus’ response in the following verses corrects this misunderstanding. In Matthew 20:22-23, He asks James and John, “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” The metaphors of drinking the cup and being baptized refer to the suffering and sacrifice that He would endure. Their quick answer, “We are able,” shows that they did not yet grasp the magnitude of what Jesus meant. Jesus then explains that sitting at His right hand and at His left hand is not His to give, but is prepared by the Father for those for whom it is prepared.

Biblical connections

The parallel account in Mark 10:35-40 shows that James and John themselves also made this request, and Jesus’ answer there is consistent. In Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus teaches the importance of servanthood and humility, saying, “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.“

Application

This passage challenges us to examine our own motives and desires in serving God. It reminds us that seeking positions of power and authority should not be our primary focus. Instead, we are called to embrace servanthood and humility, following the example of Jesus. It also teaches us that suffering and sacrifice are integral to the Christian life. Just as Jesus drank the cup of suffering and was baptized with the baptism of death and resurrection, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

• This passage challenges us to examine our own motives and desires in serving God.

• It reminds us that seeking positions of power and authority should not be our primary focus.

• Instead, we are called to embrace servanthood and humility, following the example of Jesus.

Reflection

Matthew 20:21 provides valuable lessons about the nature of Jesus’ kingdom, the importance of servanthood and humility, and the willingness to embrace suffering for the sake of the Gospel. It challenges us to examine our hearts and motives in our pursuit of God’s kingdom and to prioritize service to others over personal ambition.