Matthew 20:20-22

Expanded Bible

A Mother Asks Jesus a Favor^(A)

²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee [^CJames and John] came to Jesus with her sons. She ·bowed [knelt] before him and asked ·him to do something for her [a favor of him].

²¹ Jesus asked, “What do you want?”

She said, “·Promise [Grant; Declare; ^LSay] that one of my sons will sit at your right ·side [hand] and the other will sit at your left side in your kingdom [^Cthe positions of highest authority beside the king].”

²² But Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. ·Can you [Are you able to] drink the cup [^Csymbolizing suffering, and perhaps God’s judgment experienced by Jesus on the cross; Jer. 25:15–29] that I am about to drink?”

The sons answered, “Yes, we ·can [are able].”