Matthew 20:20-28

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Matthew 20:20-28

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.”
22“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.
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.”
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 —
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.”
— Matthew 20:20-28

Related Resources from Heartlight

Mothers!
Illustration of Matthew 20:20-21 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:20-21 NLT -- Then Zebedee's wife came to Jesus. Her sons were with her. The mother bowed before Jesus and asked him to do something for her. Jesus said, "What do you want?" She said, "Promise that one of my sons will sit at your right side in your kingdom. And promise that the other son will sit at your left side in your kingdom."

Not So Among You!
Illustration of Matthew 20:25-26 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:25-26 NLT -- [When there was indignation among the twelve disciples about who would be given places of honor,] Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Servant!
Illustration of Matthew 20:26-27 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:26-27 NLT -- "But it should not be that way with you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant. If one of you wants to become first, then he must serve you like a slave."

You Don't Understand
Illustration of Matthew 20:22-23 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:22-23 NLT -- So Jesus said to the sons, "You don't understand what you are asking. Can you accept the kind of suffering that I must have?" The sons answered, "Yes, we can!" Jesus said to them, "Truly you will suffer the same things that I will suffer. But I cannot choose the person that will sit at my right side or my left side. My Father has decided who will have those places. He has prepared those places for those people. Those places belong to them."

No Better than the Worst
Illustration of Matthew 20:24 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:24 NLT -- The other ten followers heard this. They became angry with the two brothers.

To be a Ransom!
Illustration of Matthew 20:28 NLT

Illustration of Matthew 20:28 NLT -- "It is the same with the Son of Man. The Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. The Son of Man came to serve other people. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people."

Cross References for Matthew 20:20-28

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

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