Matthew 20:21

“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus responds to the mother of Zebedee’s sons, who has approached Him with her sons to make a request. He asks her directly what she desires before she states her petition for her sons to occupy the highest positions in His kingdom.

The words — εἶπεν (eipen) translates to "He said," and θέλεις (theleis) means "do you desire?" or "do you want?" These terms frame the exchange as a direct inquiry into her specific request.

The thread — The motif of a royal figure inquiring about a petitioner's request appears in Mark 10:36 and Esther 5:3, while the promise of seating at His right and left hand connects to the throne imagery in Matthew 19:28.

Why it lands — The text records a direct request for positional authority, requiring the reader to evaluate how divine purpose redefines human concepts of status before any promise is fulfilled.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mark 10:36 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.
Esther 5:3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
Psalms 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
1 Kings 3:5 One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Matthew 20:32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.
Mark 6:22 When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”
Acts 1:6 So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Luke 22:24 A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.