Matthew 20:20-28

New American Standard Bible

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.”