Bible Strands
Matthew 20:24
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that the ten remaining disciples reacted to Jesus’s teaching about the Father’s sovereign preparation of the reserved seats. This occurs immediately after Jesus denies the authority to grant the requested positions to James and John.
The words — The key term is ἠγανάκτησαν (ēganaktēsan), translated literally as “were indignant.” This verb describes the ten disciples’ angry reaction to the news about the two brothers.
The thread — Proverbs 13:10 links arrogance to strife, while James 4:5 states the Spirit yearns with envy and 1 Peter 5:5 commands humility toward one another. These passages trace the same biblical pattern of rivalry over status and the prescribed remedy of submission.
Why it lands — The text records the ten disciples’ jealousy before Jesus redirects their focus to servant leadership. It requires the reader to identify their own competitive responses to God’s distribution of honor and to replace them with obedient submission.
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 when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Cross-references
- James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Proverbs 13:10 Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- Mark 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
- Luke 22:23 Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.