Matthew 20:20

Tuesday, 8 June 2026

 

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. Matthew 20:20

 

“Then she approached Him, the mother – the ‘sons, Zebedee’, with the ‘sons, hers’, worshipping and asking something from Him.” (CG)

 

In the previous verse, Jesus told the twelve about His coming passion and the resurrection that will occur on the third day. Matthew next records, “Then she approached Him, the mother – the ‘sons, Zebedee’.”

 

This would be Salome, as can be determined from two separate sets of verses –

 

“And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” Matthew 27:55, 56

 

“There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.” Mark 15:40, 41

 

Some also place her as the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus –

 

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:10

 

This is possible, but Mark’s “many other women” means that it must remain speculation. Next, Matthew records that she came “with the ‘sons, hers’.” These are specified elsewhere, such as in Mark’s record of this event, as James and John –

 

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.’” Mark 10:35

 

It is apparent that the request of James and John (as cited in Mark 10) is mingled with the actions of their mother. Whether they or she initially instigated the event, they were all aware of it and probably figured that Jesus would incline towards their appeal if it was made through their mother. Whatever the case, she came “worshipping.”

 

The word proskuneó, which has been seen ten times already, is used. It is a derivative of pro, to or toward, and either kuón, dog, or kyneo, to kiss. Either way, the sense is understood. It is like a dog that comes to the feet of a master or kissing the feet of a superior.

 

Thus, it implies a sense of worship. In conjunction with her humble prostration, it says, “and asking something from Him.”

 

Unitedly, they have a petition from Jesus. One can tell by the mother’s inclusion that is something beyond a regular request.

 

Life application: Of this event, Cambridge, who was obviously there at the time of Jesus, making a video of the event, says –

 

“St Mark begins ‘And James and John the sons of Zebedee came unto him, saying, &c.’ For once St Matthew is more graphic and true to detail than St Mark.”

 

I mean, how else could they state this unless they were on the same “See the Messiah” tour? The utterly ridiculous nature of their comment is indicative of some arrogant buffoon who has decided what must be true and what must be a fabrication in God’s word.

 

Without ever considering that the two accounts could easily be melded together into one scene, they have derided the word of God and claimed that one account is “superior” to the other. To say “more...true to detail” means that the other account is less true to detail.

 

Rather than such an arrogant and dismissive comment, John Gill handles the variance between the two with logic –

 

“These two disciples, having observed what Christ had said concerning the twelve disciples sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and what he had just related, concerning his rising again the third day, which they might understand of some display of his glory; and concluding from all this, that the setting up of his temporal monarchy was at hand, inform their mother of it, and move to her, to use her interest with Christ, in their favour: and which they did, partly to shun the envy and ill will of the rest of the disciples; and partly, to conceal their own pride and vanity; as also, they might think a request from her, on their behalf, would be more easily granted: accordingly, she agreeing to the motion, they all three came, as Matthew relates, and the mother is the mouth, and speaks for her sons; so that they may be said to make such a request by her, she representing them; or they joined in the petition with her; or as soon as she had made it, they seconded it, and made it their own.”

 

Be humble with God’s word. Don’t be arrogant or a know-it-all. Someday, you will have to stand before its Author and give an account concerning how you treated it.

 

Lord God, help us to remember to always handle Your word with respect and care. May we never diminish its sacred contents. You are God. Help us to accept Your word as trustworthy and reliable, seeking to understand the difficult parts with humility. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.