Matthew 20:20-28

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. ¹

21 “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.”

22 “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” ^[a] “We can,” the brothers answered.

23 “You will indeed drink My cup,” ^[b] Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

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

25 But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Cross References

• 1. (Mark 10:35–45)

Footnotes

• [a]. BYZ includes or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. TR is similar.
• [b]. BYZ and TR include and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.