Request for Preferred Treatment

20 (A)Then the mother of (B)the [a]sons of Zebedee came to [b]Jesus with her sons, (C)bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine (D)shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” 22 But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able (E)to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” 23 He *said to them, (F)My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, (G)but it is for those for whom it has been (H)prepared by My Father.”

24 And after hearing this, the other ten disciples became indignant with the two brothers. 25 (I)But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and [c]those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 It [d]is not this way among you, (J)but whoever wants to become [e]prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as (K)the Son of Man (L)did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [f]life as a ransom for many.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 20:20 I.e., the apostles James and John
  2. Matthew 20:20 Lit Him
  3. Matthew 20:25 Lit the great ones
  4. Matthew 20:26 One early ms shall not be
  5. Matthew 20:26 Lit great
  6. Matthew 20:28 Or soul

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