A Mother’s Request

The mother comes with her sons and asks Jesus for a favor, and he asks what she wants. Jesus speaks of the cup he is about to drink and says the places at his right and left belong to those prepared by the Father.

T²⁰hen the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. ²¹“What do you want?” He inquired. ²²“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” ²³“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

The other ten become indignant, and Jesus gathers them to speak about power. He contrasts Gentile rulers with the pattern that must hold among them: the one who seeks greatness must serve and become a slave.

²⁴When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. ²⁶It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave —

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

²⁸just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”