Matthew 20:21

Jesus said to her, “What do you want me to do for you?” She said to him, “Permit these two sons of mine to sit next to you (OR, Permit these two sons of mine to sit next to you at your right side and at your left side) and rule with you [MTY] when you become king.”

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

In Context

20Then the mother of James and John brought her two sons to Jesus. She bowed down before Jesus and asked him to do her a favor.

22Jesus said to her and her sons, “You do not understand what you are asking for. Can you suffer like I am about to suffer [IDM]?” James and John answered him, “Yes, we are able to do that.”

Read all of Matthew 20

Cross References

1 Kings 3:5That night, Yahweh appeared to him in a dream. He asked Solomon, “What would you like me to give to you?”

Psalms 45:9Among the women who stay near you [EUP] stay are daughters of other kings. And at your right hand stands your bride, the queen, wearing beautiful ornaments of gold that comes from Ophir.

Jeremiah 45:5So, should you [RHQ] desire that people do things to honor you in a special way? Do not desire that. It is true that I will cause all these people to experience a great disaster, but wherever you go, I will protect you, and you will not be killed.’”

Matthew 19:28Jesus said to us, “Keep this in mind: You will get many benefits. When God makes the new earth and when I, the one who came from heaven, sit on my magnificent throne, those of you who have accompanied me will each sit on a throne, and you will judge the people of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mark 6:22While they were eating, Herodias’ daughter came into the room and danced, and that pleased King Herod and his guests. So the king said to her, “Ask me for whatever you desire and I will give it to you!”

Mark 10:51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Sir, I want to be able to see again!”

Matthew Henry on Matthew 20:21-29

Ambition Corrected. 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Matthew 20:21