Matthew 20:21 - He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”
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What does "Matthew 20:21" mean?
This verse (Matthew 20:21) is a part of a larger passage where the mother of James and John (two of Jesus's disciples) asks Jesus for a significant favor: that her sons be given the highest positions of power in his future Kingdom. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said to her, 'What do you want?'": Jesus is asking the mother directly what she desires. This shows that he is willing to listen and consider her request.
"She said to him, 'Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.'": This is the core of the request.
"Command": She's not asking politely; she wants a firm promise, an order from Jesus.
"These, my two sons": She is clearly advocating for her children, James and John. This shows a mother's love and ambition for her sons.
"May sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand": To sit on someone's right and left hand in a kingdom signified the highest positions of honor, authority, and power next to the king. This is akin to being a prime minister or a vice-regent. She wants her sons to be the most powerful people in Jesus's future Kingdom.
"In your Kingdom": The mother, along with many others at the time, believed Jesus was going to establish an earthly kingdom with political power. This highlights a misunderstanding of Jesus's true mission, which was to establish a spiritual kingdom.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Misunderstanding of Jesus's Kingdom: The mother's request reveals a common misconception at the time: that Jesus's Kingdom would be a literal, earthly kingdom with earthly power structures. Jesus, however, was focused on a spiritual kingdom, built on love, service, and sacrifice.
Ambition and Self-Seeking: The mother's request, while motivated by love for her sons, also reveals ambition and a desire for personal gain. She and her sons are seeking positions of honor and power, even though they don't fully understand what it means to follow Jesus.
Jesus's Response (Important Context): This verse should be read in conjunction with the verses that follow (Matthew 20:22-28). Jesus responds by challenging James and John, asking if they are willing to suffer as he will suffer. He then explains that true greatness in his kingdom is achieved through service and humility, not through seeking positions of power. He uses the example of himself who came to serve, not to be served, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This shows that greatness in God's Kingdom is measured differently than in earthly kingdoms.
Jealousy of the Other Disciples: The passage later states that the other ten disciples were indignant when they heard about the request. This shows that they were also harboring similar desires for positions of power within Jesus's kingdom.
Lessons for Discipleship: The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, self-seeking, and misunderstanding the true nature of Jesus's Kingdom. It emphasizes that true discipleship involves humility, service, and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
In short, the verse encapsulates a misunderstanding of Jesus's kingdom and highlights the worldly desires for power and status that can creep into the hearts of even those closest to Jesus. It sets the stage for Jesus's teaching on the importance of humility and service in his Kingdom.
Matthew 20:21 - He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”
What does "Matthew 20:21" mean?
This verse (Matthew 20:21) is a part of a larger passage where the mother of James and John (two of Jesus's disciples) asks Jesus for a significant favor: that her sons be given the highest positions of power in his future Kingdom. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said to her, 'What do you want?'": Jesus is asking the mother directly what she desires. This shows that he is willing to listen and consider her request.
"She said to him, 'Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.'": This is the core of the request.
"Command": She's not asking politely; she wants a firm promise, an order from Jesus.
"These, my two sons": She is clearly advocating for her children, James and John. This shows a mother's love and ambition for her sons.
"May sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand": To sit on someone's right and left hand in a kingdom signified the highest positions of honor, authority, and power next to the king. This is akin to being a prime minister or a vice-regent. She wants her sons to be the most powerful people in Jesus's future Kingdom.
"In your Kingdom": The mother, along with many others at the time, believed Jesus was going to establish an earthly kingdom with political power. This highlights a misunderstanding of Jesus's true mission, which was to establish a spiritual kingdom.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Misunderstanding of Jesus's Kingdom: The mother's request reveals a common misconception at the time: that Jesus's Kingdom would be a literal, earthly kingdom with earthly power structures. Jesus, however, was focused on a spiritual kingdom, built on love, service, and sacrifice.
Ambition and Self-Seeking: The mother's request, while motivated by love for her sons, also reveals ambition and a desire for personal gain. She and her sons are seeking positions of honor and power, even though they don't fully understand what it means to follow Jesus.
Jesus's Response (Important Context): This verse should be read in conjunction with the verses that follow (Matthew 20:22-28). Jesus responds by challenging James and John, asking if they are willing to suffer as he will suffer. He then explains that true greatness in his kingdom is achieved through service and humility, not through seeking positions of power. He uses the example of himself who came to serve, not to be served, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This shows that greatness in God's Kingdom is measured differently than in earthly kingdoms.
Jealousy of the Other Disciples: The passage later states that the other ten disciples were indignant when they heard about the request. This shows that they were also harboring similar desires for positions of power within Jesus's kingdom.
Lessons for Discipleship: The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, self-seeking, and misunderstanding the true nature of Jesus's Kingdom. It emphasizes that true discipleship involves humility, service, and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
In short, the verse encapsulates a misunderstanding of Jesus's kingdom and highlights the worldly desires for power and status that can creep into the hearts of even those closest to Jesus. It sets the stage for Jesus's teaching on the importance of humility and service in his Kingdom.