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.

MATTHEW 20:21KJV
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Matthew 20:21 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:21 mean?

Matthew 20:21 describes the mother of James and John asking Jesus to grant her two sons special places of honor in his kingdom—one at his right hand and the other at his left. She is requesting that her sons be given the highest positions of authority and closeness to Jesus when he rules.

In this scene, the mother (traditionally identified as Salome) approaches Jesus with her sons and makes this bold request on their behalf. The right and left hand were understood as seats of great honor and power. This request shows both her faith in Jesus’ coming kingdom and her desire for her sons to have important roles within it.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:21

  • βασιλεία (basileia) — "kingdom": This word points to a royal rule or reign, not just a place. Here, it refers to the future reign of Jesus as king, which the disciples and their families expected to be a real, powerful rule.
  • δεξιός (dexios) and εὐώνυμος (euōnymos) — "right hand" and "left": These phrases are not just about physical sides but symbolize the highest and next-highest places of honor and authority beside a ruler.
  • καθίζω (kathizō) — "sit": This word means more than just sitting down; it carries the idea of being appointed or established in a position, especially one of authority.

Why Matthew 20:21 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that even those closest to Jesus sometimes misunderstood the nature of his kingdom, expecting positions of power rather than service.
  • It reveals the human desire for recognition and status, even among Jesus’ followers, which sets up Jesus’ teaching in the following verses about true greatness.
  • The request connects to the broader theme in Matthew’s Gospel of the disciples’ ongoing struggle to grasp what Jesus’ mission and kingdom are really about.

Where else these words appear

“left” Greek G2176 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 20:23 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.
  • Matthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
  • Mark 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

“sit” Greek G2523 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“hand” Greek G1188 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

“two” Greek G1417 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
  • John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?