New International VersionThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
New Living TranslationThen the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.
English Standard VersionThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
Berean Standard BibleThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
Berean Literal BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
King James BibleThen came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
New King James VersionThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
New American Standard BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
NASB 1995Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
NASB 1977Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.
Legacy Standard BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
Amplified BibleThen [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him.
Christian Standard BibleThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something.
American Standard VersionThen came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.
Contemporary English VersionThe mother of James and John came to Jesus with her two sons. She knelt down and started begging him to do something for her.
English Revised VersionThen came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her two sons. She bowed down in front of him to ask him for a favor.
Good News TranslationThen the wife of Zebedee came to Jesus with her two sons, bowed before him, and asked him for a favor.
International Standard VersionThen the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons. She bowed down in front of him to ask him for a favor.
NET BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor.
New Heart English BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Webster's Bible TranslationThen came to him the mother of Zebedee's children, with her sons, worshiping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Weymouth New TestamentThen the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
World English BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen came near to Him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, prostrating and asking something from Him,
Berean Literal BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
Young's Literal Translation Then came near to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing and asking something from him,
Smith's Literal TranslationThen came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, worshipping, and asking something of him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him, with her sons, adoring him, and petitioning something from him.
New American BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
New Revised Standard VersionThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, together with her sons; and she worshipped him, and requested something of him.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came near to him, she and her sons, and she worshiped him and she was asking him something. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing down, and asking something of him.
Godbey New TestamentThen the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, worshiping and asking something from Him.
Haweis New TestamentThen came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children, with her sons, paying him obeisance, and petitioning a favour of him.
Mace New TestamentThen the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him.
Weymouth New TestamentThen the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.
Worrell New TestamentThen came to Him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshiping and asking something of Him.
Worsley New TestamentThen the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him, together with her two sons, falling down before Him, and presenting a petition to Him.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context A Mother's Request19and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.” 20Thenthemotherof Zebedee’ssonscameto Jesuswithhersonsand knelt downto make a requestofHim.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.”…
Cross References Mark 10:35-45Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” / “What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired. / They answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.” ...
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 18:1-4At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” / Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. / “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...
Luke 22:24-27A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. / So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ...
Matthew 4:21Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
Matthew 27:56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
John 19:25Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
Acts 12:2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
1 Kings 2:19So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.
1 Kings 1:16-17And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’
1 Kings 1:11-13Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
1 Kings 2:20-21“I have just one small request of you,” she said. “Do not deny me.” “Make your request, my mother,” the king replied, “for I will not deny you.” / So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”
1 Samuel 2:20And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home.
1 Samuel 1:25-28And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. / I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, ...
1 Samuel 1:9-11So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. / In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
Treasury of Scripture Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. came. Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. the mother. Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, Jamesthe son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Salome. Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Jump to Previous BowingChildrenDesiringHomageJesusKneelingKneltMakingMotherRequestSomethingWorshipWorshipingWorshippingZabdiZebedeeZeb'edeeZebedeesZebedee'sJump to Next BowingChildrenDesiringHomageJesusKneelingKneltMakingMotherRequestSomethingWorshipWorshipingWorshippingZabdiZebedeeZeb'edeeZebedeesZebedee'sMatthew 20 1.Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;17.foretells his passion;20.by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;29.and gives two blind men their sight.Then the mother of Zebedee’s sonsThis refers to Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John, two of Jesus' disciples. Salome is believed to be a follower of Jesus and is mentioned in other Gospel accounts ( Mark 15:40, 16:1). The family is likely from a fishing background, as Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. This request highlights the close-knit nature of Jesus' followers and their families. came to Jesus with her sons
James and John, often referred to as the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), accompany their mother. This indicates their involvement and agreement with the request being made. It also reflects the cultural norms of the time, where family units often acted together, and mothers played a significant role in advocating for their children. and knelt down
Kneeling is a posture of respect and submission, often used in the presence of someone of higher status or authority. This act signifies Salome's recognition of Jesus' authority and her reverence for Him. It also sets the stage for the seriousness of her request. to make a request of Him
The request that follows is for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom (Matthew 20:21). This reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36). It also shows the human desire for status and recognition, even among Jesus' closest followers. This moment provides a teaching opportunity for Jesus to explain the true nature of leadership and greatness in His kingdom, which is characterized by servanthood and humility (Matthew 20:25-28). Persons / Places / Events 1. The Mother of Zebedee’s SonsThis woman is traditionally identified as Salome, the mother of James and John, two of Jesus' disciples. She approaches Jesus with a request for her sons. 2. James and JohnKnown as the "sons of Zebedee," they are two of Jesus' closest disciples. They are often referred to as the "Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17). 3. JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, and the teacher to whom the request is made. 4. The RequestThe mother of James and John asks Jesus for a special favor for her sons, which is to sit at His right and left in His kingdom. 5. The SettingThis event takes place during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where He is preparing His disciples for His impending death and resurrection. Teaching Points Understanding True GreatnessTrue greatness in the kingdom of God is not about positions of power but about servanthood and humility. Jesus teaches that the greatest among us must be a servant. The Role of AmbitionAmbition is not inherently wrong, but it must be aligned with God's will and purposes. Our desires should reflect a heart of service rather than self-promotion. Parental InfluenceThe request made by the mother of James and John highlights the influence parents can have on their children's spiritual aspirations. It is important for parents to guide their children towards godly ambitions. The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing Jesus involves sacrifice and a willingness to share in His sufferings. The request for positions of honor must be weighed against the call to take up one's cross. Prayer and RequestsWhen making requests to God, it is crucial to seek His will above our own desires. Our prayers should be rooted in a desire to glorify God rather than seeking personal gain. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 20:20?
2.What does Matthew 20:20 teach about seeking positions of honor in God's kingdom?
3.How can we apply the humility of Jesus in our daily interactions?
4.How does Matthew 20:20 connect with Philippians 2:3 on humility and service?
5.What lessons on servanthood can we learn from the request in Matthew 20:20?
6.How can we align our desires with God's will, as seen in Matthew 20:20?
7.What is the significance of the mother of Zebedee's sons asking Jesus for special favor?
8.How does Matthew 20:20 reflect the theme of ambition in the Bible?
9.Why did the mother of James and John approach Jesus instead of the disciples themselves?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20?
11.Matthew 20:20–21 – Why does Matthew mention the mother of James and John making this request, while Mark 10:35–37 portrays the brothers themselves asking?
12.Matthew 20:23 – If Jesus is fully divine, why does He imply He has no authority over who sits at His right and left?
13.Who was Zebedee in the Bible?
14.Were the women informed about Jesus' body's fate? Yes, by a young man/angels (Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; Matthew 28:7). No, Mary found the tomb empty and was confused (John 20:2).What Does Matthew 20:20 Mean Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons– Scripture identifies her as Salome (Mark 15:40), wife of Zebedee and devoted follower of Jesus. – Her presence reminds us that parents can influence their children’s spiritual aspirations (cf.2 Timothy 1:5). – She approaches Christ immediately after He has spoken of His coming death (Matthew 20:17-19), showing both attentiveness to His words and a possible misunderstanding of His mission.
came to Jesus– Salome chooses the right Person with whom to address her hopes, echoing the invitation, “Come to Me, all you who are weary” (Matthew 11:28). – The scene mirrors other moments when individuals press through social barriers to reach the Lord (Luke 8:41;John 4:27). – Approaching Jesus personally illustratesHebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.”
with her sons– James and John stand beside their mother, indicating agreement with her request (Mark 10:35). – Their willingness to let her speak may hint at ambition they still wrestle with (Luke 22:24). – Family unity around Christ is commendable, yet it must be surrendered to His will (Luke 14:26).
and knelt down– Kneeling signifies worship and submission (Matthew 8:2;Acts 9:40). – The posture acknowledges Jesus’ authority before any words are spoken (Philippians 2:10-11). – Genuine humility requires more than outward posture, as later verses reveal heart motives Jesus must correct (Matthew 20:25-28).
to make a request of Him– Verse 21 explains the request: seats of honor in the kingdom. Ambition surfaces beneath reverence. – Jesus’ response (vv. 22-23) teaches that greatness involves suffering “the cup” He is about to drink (cf.2 Timothy 2:12;Revelation 3:21). – He ultimately redefines greatness as servanthood: “the Son of Man came…to serve” (Matthew 20:28), echoingIsaiah 53:11. – The episode warns against seeking position over purpose and invites believers to trust God’s assignments (1 Peter 5:6).
summaryMatthew 20:20 portrays a devoted mother and her ambitious sons sincerely approaching Jesus, yet still shaped by worldly concepts of honor. Their kneeling shows respect, but their request reveals self-focused desires. Jesus does not rebuke their zeal; He redirects it, teaching that true greatness follows the path of humble service and sacrificial suffering. The verse encourages every disciple to bring desires openly to Christ, submit them to His lordship, and measure success by faithful servanthood rather than status. (20) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children.--The state of feeling described in the previous Note supplies the only explanation of a request so strange. The mother of James and John (we find on comparing Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40, that her name was Salome) was among those who "thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear" ( Luke 19:11); and probably the words so recently spoken, which promised that the Twelve should sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel ( Matthew 19:28) had fastened on her thoughts, as on those of her sons, to the exclusion of those which spoke of suffering and death. And so, little mindful of the teaching of the parable they had just heard, they too expected that they should receive more than others, and sought (not, it may be, without some jealousy of Peter) that they might be nearest to their Lord in that "regeneration" which seemed to them so near. The mother came to ask for her sons what they shrank from asking for themselves, and did so with the act of homage ("worshipping Him") which implied that she was speaking to a King. Verses 20-28. - Ambitious request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee. ( Mark 10:35-45.) Verse 20. - Then. The incident seems to have arisen from the promise of the twelve thrones in Matthew 19:28, and is significant as showing how utterly misunderstood was the true nature of the Messianic kingdom. The mother of Zebedee's children. The mother of James and John was named Salome ( Matthew 27:56 compared with Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1); she had left her husband Zebedee ( Mark 1:20) in Galilee (unless, as is more probable from the terms in which she is introduced, he was now dead), and followed Jesus in the band of holy women who attended on him and ministered to him of their substance. Some have thought that she was the sister of the Virgin Mary, so interpreting John 19:25. St. Mark makes the two apostles present their own request; and doubtless they put their mother forward, coming with her to the presence of Jesus, and using her agency in this somewhat delicate matter. Our evangelist was present on the occasion, and his precision may be relied on in this detail. Worshipping him. Making the customary prostration before a superior. A certain thing ( τι). She did not at first make any definite request, but endeavoured to get Jesus to promise to grant her what she asked. According to St. Mark, the sons say plainly, "We would that thou shouldest do for us whatever we shall desire." Thus Bathsheba addressed David. "I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay" ( 1 Kings 2:20). Salome is plainly intending to ask some great thing.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek ThenΤότε(Tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.theἡ(hē)Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.motherμήτηρ(mētēr)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384:A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.of Zebedee’sΖεβεδαίου(Zebedaiou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2199:Zebedee, father of the apostles James and John. Of Hebrew origin; Zebedaeus, an Israelite.sonsυἱῶν(huiōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.cameπροσῆλθεν(prosēlthen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4334:From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.to [Jesus]αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.withμετὰ(meta)Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.herαὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.sonsυἱῶν(huiōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.[and] knelt downπροσκυνοῦσα(proskynousa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4352:From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.to make a requestαἰτοῦσά(aitousa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 154:To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.ofἀπ’(ap’)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.Him.αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of the sons (Matt. Mat Mt) |
