Matthew 20:20
New International Version
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

New Living Translation
Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.

English Standard Version
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.

Berean Literal Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

King James Bible
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

New King James Version
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

New American Standard Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.

NASB 1995
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.

NASB 1977
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.

Amplified Bible
Then [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something.

American Standard Version
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.

Contemporary English Version
The mother of James and John came to Jesus with her two sons. She knelt down and started begging him to do something for her.

English Revised Version
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her two sons. She bowed down in front of him to ask him for a favor.

Good News Translation
Then the wife of Zebedee came to Jesus with her two sons, bowed before him, and asked him for a favor.

International Standard Version
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons. She bowed down in front of him to ask him for a favor.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.

NET Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor.

New Heart English Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children, with her sons, worshiping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.

World English Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then came near to Him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, prostrating and asking something from Him,

Berean Literal Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

Young's Literal Translation
Then came near to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing and asking something from him,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, worshipping, and asking something of him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him, with her sons, adoring him, and petitioning something from him.

New American Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, together with her sons; and she worshipped him, and requested something of him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came near to him, she and her sons, and she worshiped him and she was asking him something.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing down, and asking something of him.

Godbey New Testament
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, worshiping and asking something from Him.

Haweis New Testament
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee?s children, with her sons, paying him obeisance, and petitioning a favour of him.

Mace New Testament
Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.

Worrell New Testament
Then came to Him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshiping and asking something of Him.

Worsley New Testament
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him, together with her two sons, falling down before Him, and presenting a petition to Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Mother's Request
19and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.” 20Then 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. 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.”…

Cross References
Mark 10:35-45
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” / “What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired. / They answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.” ...

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.

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” / Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. / “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Luke 22:24-27
A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. / So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ...

Matthew 4:21
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,

Matthew 27:56
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

John 19:25
Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.

Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

1 Kings 2:19
So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.

1 Kings 1:16-17
And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

1 Kings 1:11-13
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

1 Kings 2:20-21
“I have just one small request of you,” she said. “Do not deny me.” “Make your request, my mother,” the king replied, “for I will not deny you.” / So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”

1 Samuel 2:20
And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home.

1 Samuel 1:25-28
And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. / I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, ...

1 Samuel 1:9-11
So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. / In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

came.

Mark 10:35
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

the mother.

Matthew 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Matthew 27:56
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Mark 15:40
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Salome.

Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 8:2
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Matthew 14:33
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Jump to Previous
Bowing Children Desiring Homage Jesus Kneeling Knelt Making Mother Request Something Worship Worshiping Worshipping Zabdi Zebedee Zeb'edee Zebedees Zebedee's
Jump to Next
Bowing Children Desiring Homage Jesus Kneeling Knelt Making Mother Request Something Worship Worshiping Worshipping Zabdi Zebedee Zeb'edee Zebedees Zebedee's
Matthew 20
1. Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;
17. foretells his passion;
20. by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;
29. and gives two blind men their sight.














Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons
This phrase introduces us to the mother of James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples. The mention of "Zebedee's sons" ties back to Matthew 4:21, where James and John are called by Jesus while mending nets with their father, Zebedee. The family context is significant, as it highlights the close-knit nature of the disciples' relationships and the involvement of their families in their ministry. Historically, Zebedee was likely a man of some means, as he had hired servants (Mark 1:20), which may have given his family a certain status or influence.

came to Jesus
The act of coming to Jesus signifies a deliberate approach, indicating both respect and urgency. In the cultural context of the time, it was not uncommon for family members to advocate for one another, especially in matters of honor and position. This approach to Jesus shows the mother's faith in His authority and her belief in His ability to grant her request.

with her sons
The presence of James and John alongside their mother suggests their complicity in the request that follows. It reflects a family united in their ambition and desire for prominence within Jesus' kingdom. This detail underscores the human tendency to seek status and recognition, even among those closest to Jesus.

and knelt down
Kneeling is a posture of humility and reverence, often associated with worship or a plea for favor. This act demonstrates the mother's recognition of Jesus' authority and her willingness to submit to His will. In the cultural and historical context, kneeling before a rabbi or teacher was a sign of deep respect and acknowledgment of their spiritual leadership.

to make a request of Him
The phrase "to make a request" indicates a specific petition or desire. In the Greek, the word used here for "request" (αἰτέω, aiteo) often implies asking with a sense of urgency or need. This highlights the mother's earnestness and the importance she places on her sons' future roles. Theologically, this moment sets the stage for Jesus to teach about true greatness and servanthood in His kingdom, contrasting human ambition with divine purpose.

(20) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children.--The state of feeling described in the previous Note supplies the only explanation of a request so strange. The mother of James and John (we find on comparing Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40, that her name was Salome) was among those who "thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear" (Luke 19:11); and probably the words so recently spoken, which promised that the Twelve should sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28) had fastened on her thoughts, as on those of her sons, to the exclusion of those which spoke of suffering and death. And so, little mindful of the teaching of the parable they had just heard, they too expected that they should receive more than others, and sought (not, it may be, without some jealousy of Peter) that they might be nearest to their Lord in that "regeneration" which seemed to them so near. The mother came to ask for her sons what they shrank from asking for themselves, and did so with the act of homage ("worshipping Him") which implied that she was speaking to a King.

Verses 20-28. - Ambitious request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Mark 10:35-45.) Verse 20. - Then. The incident seems to have arisen from the promise of the twelve thrones in Matthew 19:28, and is significant as showing how utterly misunderstood was the true nature of the Messianic kingdom. The mother of Zebedee's children. The mother of James and John was named Salome (Matthew 27:56 compared with Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1); she had left her husband Zebedee (Mark 1:20) in Galilee (unless, as is more probable from the terms in which she is introduced, he was now dead), and followed Jesus in the band of holy women who attended on him and ministered to him of their substance. Some have thought that she was the sister of the Virgin Mary, so interpreting John 19:25. St. Mark makes the two apostles present their own request; and doubtless they put their mother forward, coming with her to the presence of Jesus, and using her agency in this somewhat delicate matter. Our evangelist was present on the occasion, and his precision may be relied on in this detail. Worshipping him. Making the customary prostration before a superior. A certain thing (τι). She did not at first make any definite request, but endeavoured to get Jesus to promise to grant her what she asked. According to St. Mark, the sons say plainly, "We would that thou shouldest do for us whatever we shall desire." Thus Bathsheba addressed David. "I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay" (1 Kings 2:20). Salome is plainly intending to ask some great thing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mother
μήτηρ (mētēr)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384: A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.

of Zebedee’s
Ζεβεδαίου (Zebedaiou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2199: Zebedee, father of the apostles James and John. Of Hebrew origin; Zebedaeus, an Israelite.

sons
υἱῶν (huiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

came
προσῆλθεν (prosēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

to [Jesus]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

her
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sons
υἱῶν (huiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

[and] knelt down
προσκυνοῦσα (proskynousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4352: From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.

to make a request
αἰτοῦσά (aitousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

of
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

Him.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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