Matthew 20:20-28

Modern English Version

A Mother’s Request^(A)

²⁰ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons. And kneeling before Him, she asked for a certain thing.

²¹ He said to her, “What do you want?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your kingdom.”

²² But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cup that I am to drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

²³ He said to them, “You will indeed drink from My cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But to sit at My right hand and at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

²⁴ When the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶ It shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you, let him serve you, ²⁷ and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave, ²⁸ even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”