Matthew 20:21

19 and 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.”

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

“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?” “We can,” the brothers answered.

23 “You will indeed drink My cup,” 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.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“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.”
KJV
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.
WEB
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.”
ASV
And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom.
DARBY
And he said to her, What wilt thou? She says to him, Speak [the word] that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand and one on thy left in thy kingdom.
BLB
And He said to her, “What do you want?” She says to Him, “Say that these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left hand, in Your kingdom.”
ÅB
Han sa til henne: «Hva vil du?» Hun sa til ham: «Si at disse to sønnene mine skal sitte ved deg i ditt rike, den ene på høyre side og den andre på venstre side!»
OTB
Han spurte henne: "Hva ønsker du?" Hun svarte: "Gi at disse to sønnene mine kan sitte, én ved din høyre og én ved din venstre, i ditt rike."
B1930
Han sa til henne: Hvad vil du? Hun sa til ham: Si at disse mine to sønner skal sitte, den ene ved din høire og den andre ved din venstre side i ditt rike!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 19:28

    Jesus 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.

    Read in context
  • Mark 10:36–37

    “What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 110:1

    The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

    Read in context
  • Esther 5:3

    “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 3:5

    One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 18:1

    At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

    Read in context
  • Mark 6:22

    When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”

    Read in context
  • Acts 1:6

    So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

    Read in context