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 20:21KJVWhat 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.