Matthew 20:27-28 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Ambitious request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee . ( Mark 10:35-45 .) read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Salome and her sons. I. THEIR CONVERSATION WITH CHRIST . 1 . The request . Salome was one of the Lord's most faithful followers; she was present at the cross; perhaps she was his mother's sister. Her sons had been admitted into the innermost circle of the apostles; they with Peter were the three nearest to the Lord. But even the chosen three could not receive the Lord's predictions of his death. Their hearts were so preoccupied with thoughts of the kingdom, the twelve... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Salome's petition for Zebedee's sons. This strange petition must have operated in a twofold way upon our Lord. On the one hand, it must have made it more clear than ever to his mind that nothing but his death and departure from this earth could dissipate the hopes of an earthly kingdom cherished by even the best of his followers. On the other hand, it gave him a most melancholy exhibition of the kind of men whom he must leave behind him to found his Church. Yet in our Lord's reply there is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Distinction in the kingdom. In the company of Jesus and his twelve apostles, as they went up to Jerusalem to the Passover, were probably other disciples, their relatives and friends. For here is "the mother of the sons of Zebedee," who came "worshipping, and asking a certain thing" of Jesus. The reply and discourse following show— I. THAT DISTINCTION IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST IS NOT THE DISTINCTION OF LORDSHIP . 1 . This is the distinction of earthly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25-27

True greatness. The daring request of the mother of Zebedee's children roused the jealousy of the other disciples. This was natural, and quite in accordance with the customs of the world. Nevertheless, Christ disapproved of the feeling. It showed something of the same selfish ambition that the two brothers had displayed. I. WORLDLY DIFFERENCES OF RANK ARE NOT TO BE ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST . 1 . The necessity of this rule . It springs from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

Whosoever will be ( θε ì λῃ … εἶναι ) chief ( first, πρῶτος )… servant ( bondservant, δοῦλος ). The characteristic of the Christian ruler should be humility. Christ enforces the teaching of the previous verse more emphatically by altering the terms in which it was stated. "Great" now becomes "first;" "minister," "slave." Of these two last words the former would imply rather occasional service, to meet some temporary call; the latter, the regular business of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

The moral greatness of service. There was nothing more characteristic of the teaching of Jesus, perhaps we may even say, nothing more novel in his teaching, than his reversion of the common notions of service. All the world over, and all the ages through, the ordinary man has seen dignity in "being served," and has seen a kind of indignity in "serving." This has come about in two ways. 1 . Through the exaggerated importance given to self . A man has come to be of more interest to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:28

Even as. Christ adduces his own example as a pattern of profound humility. To minister. By his incarnation Christ assumed the lowliest life of man. He took upon himself the form of a servant, and was ever active in ministering to others' wants, going about doing good, healing the sick, cleansing lepers, casting out demons; always accessible, sympathetic, merciful; never weary of teaching, however fatigued in body; a servant to the race which he came to save. A ransom for many; λυ ì ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:28

Christ the Servant and the Ransom. The immediate application of these words is to confirm the previous assertion of the nature of true greatness in the kingdom of heaven. But they are so intensely significant that they claim our attention on their own account. I. CHRIST THE SERVANT . This startling conjunction of titles is suggested even in the Old Testament, in the latter part of Isaiah. Jesus realizes the singular prophecy in deeper humility and self-denial. In the prophet the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

See also Mark 10:35-45.Matthew 20:20Then came to him give mother of Zebedee’s children ... - This was probably Salome, Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1.With her sons - The names of these sons were James and John, Mark 10:35Mark says they came and made the request. That is, they made it, as appears from Matthew, through the medium of their mother; they requested her to ask it for them. It is not improbable that she was an ambitious woman, and was desirous to see her sons honored.Worshipping him - Showing... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

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