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.

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto her {G846}, What {G5101} wilt thou {G2309}? She saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Grant {G2036} that {G2443} these {G3778} my {G3450} two {G1417} sons {G5207} may sit {G2523}, the one {G1520} on {G1537} thy {G4675} right hand {G1188}, and {G2532} the other {G1520} on {G1537} the left {G2176}, in {G1722} thy {G4675} kingdom {G932}.

He said to her, "What do you want?" She replied, "Promise that when you become king, these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left."

“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”

And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom.

Commentary

Matthew 20:21 presents a pivotal moment where the mother of James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, approaches Him with a bold request regarding their future positions in His kingdom. This verse encapsulates the disciples' ongoing misunderstanding of the true nature of Jesus' mission and the spiritual character of His reign.

Context

This interaction occurs immediately after Jesus' third explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19). While Jesus is preparing His disciples for the ultimate act of sacrifice, their focus remains on earthly power and prestige. The mother's request, likely driven by maternal ambition and a common Jewish expectation of a political Messiah, highlights the stark contrast between Jesus' divine agenda and the disciples' worldly aspirations. This episode also sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on servant leadership, which directly challenges the notions of worldly greatness (Matthew 20:26-28).

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding the Kingdom: The most prominent theme is the disciples' (and their mother's) persistent misconception of Jesus' kingdom. They envisioned a political, earthly realm where positions of power and honor would be distributed, rather than the spiritual kingdom founded on humility, sacrifice, and service. This misunderstanding is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels, as seen in Peter's rebuke of Jesus in Matthew 16:22.
  • Human Ambition: The request reveals the natural human inclination towards seeking prominence and authority, even among those called to follow Christ. It underscores how easily worldly desires can overshadow spiritual understanding.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Although not fully articulated in this verse, the subsequent verses show Jesus' response, which subtly introduces the concept of suffering and sacrifice as prerequisites for true greatness in His kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left" signifies the most esteemed positions of honor and authority in a royal court. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, these seats were reserved for the king's chief advisors, closest confidantes, or most trusted officials. The mother's request was for unparalleled access and power within what she perceived to be Jesus' imminent earthly reign. The Greek word for "kingdom" (basileia) refers to the reign or rule of a king, which Jesus consistently taught was both a present spiritual reality and a future consummated state.

Practical Application

Matthew 20:21 serves as a timeless reminder for believers to examine their own motives in serving God. Do we seek personal glory, recognition, or positions of influence, or are we genuinely committed to humble service and the advancement of God's will? Jesus consistently taught that true greatness in His kingdom is measured not by who sits in the highest seats, but by who serves the most (Luke 22:27). This verse challenges us to:

  • Re-evaluate our ambitions: Are our desires aligned with God's kingdom values of humility and service?
  • Understand true greatness: Recognize that authentic spiritual authority and impact come from self-sacrificial love, mirroring Christ's example in Philippians 2:7.
  • Focus on God's will: Trust that God, in His sovereignty, will determine appropriate roles and rewards in His kingdom.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 19:28 (12 votes)

    And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Mark 10:36 (9 votes)

    And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

  • Mark 10:37 (9 votes)

    They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

  • Esther 5:3 (7 votes)

    Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

  • Matthew 18:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

  • Psalms 110:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Acts 1:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?