Matthew 20:24

KJV

And when the ten heard [it], they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the ten {G1176} heard {G191} it, they were moved with indignation {G23} against {G4012} the two {G1417} brethren {G80}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now when the other ten heard about this, they were outraged at the two brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

American Standard Version

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation concerning the two brethren.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:24 captures the immediate and visceral reaction of the other ten disciples to James and John's audacious request for positions of preeminence in Jesus' coming kingdom. This verse serves as a crucial narrative pivot, exposing the persistent worldly ambitions and competitive spirit within the inner circle of Jesus' followers, thereby setting the stage for Jesus' profound and counter-cultural teaching on the true nature of leadership and greatness in God's kingdom, which is defined by humble service rather than worldly power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a significant section of Matthew's Gospel that highlights the disciples' persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. Immediately preceding this, Jesus had just delivered His third explicit prophecy of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem, a solemn declaration intended to prepare His disciples for the ultimate act of redemptive service ([Matthew 20:17-19](/matthew/20-17-19 "Matthew 20:17-19 - Jesus' Third Prediction of His Death")). Despite this, James and John, through their mother, immediately follow with a request for the highest seats of honor in His kingdom ([Matthew 20:20-23](/matthew/20-20-23 "Matthew 20:20-23 - The Request of James and John")). The indignation of the ten, as described in [Matthew 20:24](/matthew/20-24 "Matthew 20:24 - The Indignation of the Ten"), is the direct consequence of this request, prompting Jesus to deliver one of His most pivotal teachings on servant leadership in [Matthew 20:25-28](/matthew/20-25-28 "Matthew 20:25-28 - Jesus Teaches About Servant Leadership"), contrasting the ways of the world with the ways of God's kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples, being first-century Jews, lived in a society that highly valued honor, status, and hierarchical structures. Positions of power and proximity to a king were eagerly sought after, conferring immense prestige and influence. The concept of a Messiah was often intertwined with expectations of a political liberator who would establish an earthly kingdom, overthrowing Roman rule and restoring Israel's glory. Within this cultural framework, it was natural for the disciples to envision Jesus' kingdom in worldly terms, complete with a court and positions of authority. Their desire for the "right hand" and "left hand" seats reflected the common practice of assigning the highest places of honor to those closest to the ruler. Their indignation, therefore, was not merely a spiritual offense but also a deeply cultural one, as they perceived James and John attempting to usurp a coveted status that they themselves desired.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 20:24](/matthew/20-24 "Matthew 20:24 - The Indignation of the Ten") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **misunderstanding of the Kingdom of God** by the disciples, who consistently struggled to grasp Jesus' spiritual and counter-cultural vision of His reign, often projecting their worldly ambitions onto it. Secondly, it starkly exposes the pervasive human tendency towards **ambition, selfishness, and rivalry**, even among those called to follow Christ. The indignation of the ten reveals that their hearts, like James and John's, were still largely governed by a desire for personal glory and status, rather than a selfless commitment to God's will. Finally, this incident sets up a profound **contrast between worldly power structures and divine humility**, serving as a crucial backdrop for Jesus' subsequent teaching that true greatness in His kingdom is found not in lording over others, but in humble service, echoing themes found throughout [the Gospels](/gospels "The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This word (G191) signifies not merely the physical act of hearing, but often implies understanding, perceiving, or taking notice. The ten disciples not only audibly received the request but comprehended its ambitious and presumptuous nature. Their "hearing" was followed by an immediate and strong emotional reaction, indicating that the meaning of James and John's petition resonated deeply with their own aspirations and competitive spirit.
* **indignation (Greek, _aganaktéō'_):** Derived from Greek words meaning "much" and "grief," this term (G23) describes a state of being greatly afflicted, vexed, or displeased, often to the point of outrage or resentment. It denotes a strong emotional disturbance, a deep-seated annoyance or anger. In this context, the indignation of the ten was likely fueled by a combination of jealousy—as they too coveted positions of honor—and a sense of injustice that two of their peers were attempting to gain an unfair advantage or bypass the group's collective aspirations. It was not a righteous indignation against pride, but a self-interested displeasure.
* **brethren (Greek, _adelphós'_):** This term (G80), meaning "brother" (literally or figuratively), emphasizes the familial bond and shared calling among the disciples. The fact that their indignation was directed "against the two brethren" underscores the internal conflict and disunity that worldly ambition can sow even within a close-knit spiritual community. It highlights the painful reality that even those united by a common master can fall prey to rivalry and competition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the ten heard [it]":** This clause establishes the immediate awareness of the majority of the disciples concerning the audacious request made by James and John. The "ten" refers to the remaining disciples, excluding James, John, and presumably their mother. Their hearing was not incidental; it was the catalyst for their strong emotional response, indicating that the request was either made publicly or quickly became known among the group, challenging their own unspoken aspirations for prominence.
* **"they were moved with indignation":** This is the core action of the verse, describing the powerful emotional reaction of the ten. The Greek word for "indignation" conveys a deep displeasure, vexation, or resentment. This was not a calm, reasoned disagreement, but a visceral, perhaps even explosive, emotional outburst. Their anger stemmed not from a pure spiritual discernment of the sin of pride, but more likely from a competitive spirit, seeing their own potential for advancement threatened by the perceived maneuvering of James and John.
* **"against the two brethren":** This specifies the target of their indignation: James and John. The use of "brethren" highlights the irony of the situation – those who were called to be a unified family in Christ were now divided by worldly ambition and jealousy. Their anger was directed at their fellow disciples, revealing the internal strife and lack of spiritual maturity within the group, setting the stage for Jesus to address the root cause of such conflicts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Characterization** is prominent, as the disciples' reaction further reveals their ongoing spiritual immaturity and their persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom. Despite having spent extensive time with Jesus and hearing His teachings, their hearts are still prone to worldly ambition and jealousy, mirroring the very attitudes Jesus had come to transform. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; those who are called to embody the values of a new, spiritual kingdom founded on humility and service are instead displaying the very competitive and status-seeking behaviors characteristic of the fallen world. Furthermore, this verse serves as a narrative **Foreshadowing**, immediately preceding Jesus' pivotal teaching on servant leadership. The disciples' flawed response creates the perfect pedagogical moment for Jesus to articulate the counter-cultural principles of His kingdom, where the greatest are servants. Finally, the verse establishes a clear **Contrast** between the worldly aspirations of the disciples and the divine standard of humility that Jesus is about to reveal, highlighting the chasm between human nature and God's ideal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:24 profoundly illustrates the enduring struggle within the human heart against pride, ambition, and envy, even among those committed to spiritual pursuits. The indignation of the ten disciples was not a righteous anger against the sin of pride in James and John, but rather a reflection of their own competitive desires for status and recognition. This incident underscores the pervasive nature of sin, which can manifest as jealousy and rivalry even within the closest spiritual communities. It serves as a stark reminder that true spiritual growth involves a radical reorientation of our desires from self-exaltation to humble service, a transformation that only divine grace can accomplish. The disciples' reaction highlights the constant need for self-examination of our motives and a willingness to embrace Jesus' counter-cultural call to humility.

* [Mark 10:41](/mark/10-41 "Mark 10:41 - The Other Disciples' Indignation")
* [Luke 22:24](/luke/22-24 "Luke 22:24 - Dispute Among Disciples Over Greatness")
* [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility and Considering Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:24 serves as a powerful mirror, reflecting the persistent human tendency towards ambition, rivalry, and self-interest, even within the context of spiritual community and service. It challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts: are our desires for influence, recognition, or leadership rooted in a genuine desire to serve God and others, or are they subtly tainted by a hunger for personal status and power? The indignation of the ten reminds us that envy and competition can easily fester when we perceive others gaining an advantage, hindering unity and true spiritual fellowship. Instead of competing for positions, we are called to emulate Christ's humility, finding our true greatness in selfless service. This verse urges us to cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity, celebrating the gifts and callings of others rather than comparing ourselves or seeking to outdo them. It is a call to surrender our worldly ambitions and embrace the upside-down values of God's kingdom, where the last are first and the greatest are servants.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my own hidden ambitions or desires for status within my community or sphere of influence?**
* **How do I react when others achieve success or recognition that I might have desired? Is my heart prone to jealousy or genuine rejoicing?**
* **In what ways might I be misunderstanding the true nature of greatness in God's kingdom, perhaps still clinging to worldly definitions of success?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a spirit of humility and service, rather than seeking to elevate myself?**

### FAQ
**Why were the ten disciples moved with indignation?**

Answer: Their indignation was not primarily a righteous anger against the pride or ambition of James and John, but rather a manifestation of their own competitive desires. They likely harbored similar aspirations for high positions in Jesus' kingdom, and seeing James and John attempt to secure these coveted spots ahead of them provoked jealousy, resentment, and a sense of being unfairly outmaneuvered. This reaction reveals their continued struggle with worldly values and their misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of Jesus' reign, which is founded on humility and service, not earthly power or status, as Jesus would immediately clarify in [Matthew 20:25-28](/matthew/20-25-28 "Matthew 20:25-28 - Jesus Teaches About Servant Leadership").

**Does this incident suggest that the disciples were spiritually immature?**

Answer: Yes, this incident, along with several others in the Gospels (e.g., the dispute over who was greatest in [Luke 9:46](/luke/9-46 "Luke 9:46 - Dispute Over Greatness")), clearly highlights the ongoing spiritual immaturity and human frailty of the disciples. Despite spending years with Jesus and witnessing His miracles and teachings, they consistently struggled to shed their worldly mindsets and fully grasp the counter-cultural values of God's kingdom. This serves as a realistic portrayal of spiritual growth, showing that even those closest to Christ are on a journey of transformation, continually needing His instruction and grace to overcome their inherent sinful tendencies. It underscores the patience and persistent teaching required to shape hearts for God's purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:24, with its raw depiction of human ambition and rivalry, serves as a powerful contrast to the character and mission of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the true nature of greatness in God's kingdom. While the disciples squabbled over positions of power, Jesus was consistently moving towards the ultimate act of self-emptying service: the cross. His life was a living commentary on the principle He would immediately articulate: that true leadership is not about being served, but about serving others, and ultimately, giving one's life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Jesus did not seek earthly thrones or positions of honor; instead, He humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). The indignation of the ten underscores the profound need for a Savior who would not only teach humility but perfectly model it, demonstrating that the path to true exaltation in God's eyes is through self-sacrificial love and service, a lesson powerfully reinforced when He washed His disciples' feet ([John 13:1-17](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet")), setting the ultimate example for His followers to emulate.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 5:5

¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

James 4:5

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Mark 10:41

And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much displeased with James and John.

Philippians 2:3

[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Luke 22:23

And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

Luke 22:25

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.