Matthew 20:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus asks what she wants, and she requests that her two sons sit at his right and left hands in his kingdom.
What Does Matthew 20:21 Mean?
Jesus invites her to speak: What wilt thou? She asks that her two sons be given the seats of highest honor, one on His right hand and the other on the left, in His kingdom. In the courts of kings, the places nearest the throne belonged to those of greatest rank, so she is asking for the chief positions of glory.
Her request reveals a kingdom imagined in worldly terms, with thrones and rankings and favored places. She has grasped that Jesus is a King but not yet what kind of King He is. The longing for nearness to Christ is good; the longing to be exalted above others is the misunderstanding He must correct. The seats she covets, He will soon show, are reached by a road that runs through service and suffering, not through privilege.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:21
What does Matthew 20:21 mean?
Jesus asks what she wants, and she requests that her two sons sit at his right and left hands in his kingdom.