Matthew 20:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Here, is first, the request of the two disciples to Christ, and the rectifying of the mistake upon which that was grounded, Matt. 20:20-23. The sons of Zebedee were James and John, two of the first three of Christ's disciples; Peter and they were his favourites; John was the disciple whom Jesus loved; yet none were so often reproved as they; whom Christ loves best he reproves most, Rev. 3:19. I. Here is the ambitious address they made to Christ?that they might sit, the one on his right hand,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

20:20-28 At that time the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons, kneeling before him, and asking something from him. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to him, "Speak the word that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup which I have to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He said to them, "My cup you are to drink; but to sit on my right... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

Second, this passage sheds a light upon the Christian life. Jesus said that those who would share his triumph must drink his cup. What was that cup? It was to James and John that Jesus spoke. Now life treated James and John very differently. James was the first of the apostolic band to die a martyr ( Acts 12:2 ). For him the cup was martyrdom. On the other hand, by far the greater weight of tradition goes to show that John lived to a great old age in Ephesus and died a natural death when he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

The request of James and John not unnaturally annoyed the other disciples. They did not see why the two brothers should steal a march on them, even if they were the cousins of Jesus. They did not see why they should be allowed to stake their claims to preeminence. Jesus knew what was going on in their minds; and he spoke to them words which are the very basis of the Christian life. Out in the world, said Jesus, it is quite true that the great man is the man who controls others; the man to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

What Jesus calls upon his followers to do he himself did. He came not to be served, but to serve. He came to occupy not a throne, but a cross. It was just because of this that the orthodox religious people of his time could not understand him. All through their history the Jews had dreamed of the Messiah; but the Messiah of whom they had dreamed was always a conquering king, a mighty leader, one who would smash the enemies of Israel and reign in power over the kingdoms of the earth. They... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:28

Even as the son of man ,.... Meaning himself, the seed of the woman, the son of Abraham, and of David, according to the flesh; and whom he proposes as an example of humility, and as an argument to draw them off from their ambitious views of worldly grandeur, and from all thoughts of the Messiah's setting up a temporal kingdom; since he came not to be ministered unto by others; to be attended on in pomp and state, to have a numerous retinue about him, waiting upon him, and ministering to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

A ransom for many - Λυτρον αντι πολλων , or a ransom instead of many, - one ransom, or atonement, instead of the many prescribed in the Jewish law. Mr. Wakefield contends for the above translation, and with considerable show of reason and probability. The word λυτρον is used by the Septuagint for the Hebrew פדיו , pidion , the ransom paid for a man's life: see Exodus 21:30 ; Numbers 3:49-51 ; and λυτρα is used Numbers 35:31 , where a satisfaction (Hebrew כפר copher , an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

Verse 28 28.As the Son of man Christ confirms the preceding doctrine by his own example; for he voluntarily took upon himself the form of a servant, and emptied himself, as Paul also informs us, (Philippians 2:7.) To prove more clearly how far he was from indulging in lofty views, he reminds them of his death. “Because I have chosen you to the honor of being near me, you are seized by a wicked ambition to reign. But I — by whose example you ought to regulate your life — came not to exalt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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