Matthew 20:21

19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

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 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

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

    And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

    Read in context
  • Mark 10:36–37

    And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

    Read in context
  • Psalms 110:1

    The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

    Read in context
  • Esther 5:3

    Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 3:5

    In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 18:1

    At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

    Read in context
  • Mark 6:22

    And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

    Read in context
  • Acts 1:6

    When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

    Read in context