20 Then [Salome] the [ c ] 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.21 And He said to her, “What do you wish? ”She answered Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit [in positions of honor and authority] one on Your right and one on Your left.”
22 But Jesus replied, “You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup [of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They answered, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink My cup [of suffering]; but to sit on My right and on My left this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Matthew 20:20-23 (AMP)
Backdrop
The timing of this request is interesting. After telling the disciples in the last passage of His coming sacrificial death and challenge that the first must be last along with confirming a reward for disciples, the mother of John and James makes this request.
Crazy request!
By all measures it’s a crazy request. But I guess it depends on the perspective of the requestor. “The ‘right hand’ and ‘left hand’ suggest proximity to the King’s person and so a share in his prestige and power.” (Carson quoted by Enduringword.com) But read v22 closely. Though the request is spoken by the mom, Jesus replies to the sons. Who’s idea the request was is not known but Jesus addresses the sons since they would be the beneficiaries of the request. Enduringword.com goes on to quote France: “The promise of Matthew 19:28 forms the background to this request; the ‘thrones’ are already assured, leaving only the question of precedence.”
The significance
The significance of the request must be addressed. Jesus had just told them He will suffer and die. At the Last Supper, He will elaborate on His suffering and connect it to the cup of wine and the bread. This is the cup of His suffering (Jeremiah 25:15) – the full wrath of God toward sin. So this request, according to Jesus, would require a similar experience – though not the same cup. We know that James was the first of the disciples to be martyred. John, though not killed, was persecuted and spent his final years in isolation on the island of Patmos. Likewise, all the other disciples met similar fates.
Ultimate submission
We see in our Lord’s response the pattern of humble submission we should follow. “He comes to do not his own will, but the will of him that sent him, and so he correctly says of rank in his kingdom, It is not mine to give. How thoroughly did our Lord take a lowly place for our sakes! In this laying aside of authority, he gives a silent rebuke to our self-seeking.” (Spurgeon)
RЯeflection
- Do any of us compare ourselves to other believers and judge that we are better Christians than them? Perish the thought! But in all honesty, we do. Let us humbly learn from our Master, Jesus, to think not too highly of ourselves but in true humility to think of others better than ourselves. We should follow His example of laying aside all to become a servant of all. Philippians 2.
