Matthew 20:21
What does Matthew 20:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 20:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 20:21 means
The mother's request, that her two sons might sit "one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom," reveals a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. She, and presumably her sons, still envisioned an earthly kingdom with positions of power and prestige. This request, made in the shadow of Jesus' self-sacrificial prophecy, highlights the disciples' persistent worldly ambitions and the need for further instruction on true greatness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said to her, What is your desire? She says to him, Let my two sons be seated, the one at your right hand, and the other at your left, in your kingdom.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he said to her, `What wilt thou?' She saith to him, `Say, that they may sit--these my two sons--one on thy right hand, and one on the left, in thy reign.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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.
Context
This verse details the specific and ambitious request made by the mother of James and John, following her approach to Jesus. Her desire for her sons to hold positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom directly exposes the disciples' remaining earthly expectations. This request provides the immediate context for Jesus' teaching about the nature of His kingdom and the cost of following Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 18:41
What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
- Luke 17:20
And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
- Romans 8:34
who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
- 1 Kings 3:5
In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
- Acts 1:6
They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
- Romans 12:10
In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
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