Request for Honor and Teaching on Servanthood
Matthew 20:20-28
Matt.20.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τοτε: ADV
- προσηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μητηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- Ζεβεδαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- προσκυνουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- και: CONJ
- αιτουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- τι: ADV
- παρ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:35-45 (structural): Parallel Pericope: Mark records the same episode of the sons of Zebedee (James and John) requesting high places, providing the Synoptic parallel narrative to Matthew's account.
- Matthew 20:21 (verbal): Immediate continuation in Matthew: the mother makes the explicit petition that her two sons sit at Jesus' right and left — direct verbal and narrative continuation of 20:20.
- Mark 10:35-37 (verbal): Parallel wording: Mark explicitly recounts James and John's request to Jesus (to sit at his right and left), closely mirroring the persons and petition implied in Matthew 20:20–21.
- Mark 9:33-35 (thematic): Thematic parallel: the disciples' dispute about who is greatest and Jesus' teaching on servanthood echoes the motive behind the request for honor reflected in Matthew 20:20–28.
- Luke 22:24-27 (thematic): Thematic parallel: the later dispute at the Last Supper over rank and Jesus' correction about true greatness and servant leadership parallels the issue raised by the Zebedee family's request.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons; she knelt and made a request of him.
- Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling she made a request of him.
Matt.20.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη·Τι: PRON,dat,sg,f+INT,acc,sg,n
- θελεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Ειπε: PRON,dat,sg,m+VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- καθισωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- ουτοι: DEM,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,card
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εις: PREP
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: ADJ,gen,pl,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- εξ: PREP
- ευωνυμων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:37 (verbal): Parallel account of the same request by the sons of Zebedee; wording and request to sit at Jesus' right and left largely parallel to Matthew's wording.
- Mark 10:35-45 (structural): The broader pericope in Mark contains the request and Jesus' ensuing teaching on greatness and servant leadership, corresponding to the context and response in Matthew 20.
- Luke 22:24-27 (thematic): Different episode where disciples dispute who is greatest; Jesus again rebukes aspirations to rank and teaches that greatness is servanthood, echoing the theme behind the request to sit at Jesus' right/left.
- Psalm 110:1 (allusion): Royal enthronement imagery—'Sit at my right hand'—provides the Old Testament background for the idea of sitting at a ruler's right/left in his kingdom, which underlies the disciples' request.
- Rev 3:21 (allusion): Uses the same motif of sharing the ruler's throne ('to sit with me on my throne'), reflecting New Testament language of sharing Christ's royal authority that the sons of Zebedee seek.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to her, 'What do you want?' She said to him, 'Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right and one at your left, in your kingdom.'
- He said to her, “What do you desire?” She said, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
Matt.20.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν·Ουκ: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- τι: ADV
- αιτεισθε·δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- πιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εγω: PRO,nom,sg,1
- μελλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- πινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω·Δυναμεθα: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:38-39 (verbal): Nearly identical wording in Mark’s parallel: Jesus asks, 'Can you drink the cup that I drink?' and links drinking the cup to participating in his fate (includes the baptism imagery omitted in Matthew).
- Matt.20:23 (structural): Immediate synoptic follow-up in Matthew: Jesus answers that they will drink his cup (affirming participation in his suffering) but denies authority to grant seats of honor—completes the pericope begun in v.22.
- Luke 22:42 (thematic): In Gethsemane Jesus speaks of the cup he must drink and submits to the Father’s will—uses the cup as a metaphor for suffering and obedience, thematically linked to Matt.20:22's cup imagery.
- Psalm 75:8 (allusion): Old Testament background for 'cup' imagery: the Lord’s cup as an instrument of fate/judgment and drinking as participation in divine purpose, which informs New Testament uses of the cup to denote suffering or destiny.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jesus answered, 'You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?' They said to him, 'We are able.'
- Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Matt.20.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Το: PRON,dat,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- πιεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- καθισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- ευωνυμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εμον: PRON,poss,acc,sg,n
- δουναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αλλ᾽οις: CONJ+PRON,dat,pl,m
- ητοιμασται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Mark 10:39-40 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: same promise about 'drinking my cup' and identical wording that sitting at Jesus' right and left is not his to give but is prepared by the Father.
- Matthew 26:39 (thematic): 'Cup' imagery: Jesus' reference to others 'drinking my cup' echoes his own acceptance of the cup of suffering in Gethsemane, linking discipleship with sharing his fate.
- Luke 22:28-30 (thematic): Sitting and sharing in Jesus' messianic rule: Jesus promises the disciples they'll eat and drink at his table and sit on thrones, a related promise of honor/authority in his kingdom.
- Psalm 110:1 (allusion): Background for 'sit at my right hand': the Psalm's enthronement imagery undergirds New Testament language about seating at God's/right-hand authority (often cited by Jesus and the apostles).
- Revelation 3:21 (thematic): Promised sharing in rule: the promise to 'sit with me on my throne' parallels the New Testament theme of faithful ones sharing Jesus' authority and throne-seat.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, 'You will indeed drink my cup; yet to sit at my right and my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.'
- When the ten heard this, they were indignant, and began to be greatly displeased at the two brothers.
Matt.20.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ακουσαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δεκα: NUM,nom,pl,m
- ηγανακτησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,card
- αδελφων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:41 (verbal): Close verbal parallel — Mark records the ten becoming indignant with James and John in response to their request, mirroring Matthew's wording and reaction.
- Mark 10:35-41 (structural): The full Markan pericope of James and John's request and the disciples' indignation provides the immediate narrative parallel and context for Matthew's verse.
- Luke 9:46-48 (thematic): An earlier Lukan episode where the disciples argue about which of them is greatest; thematically parallels the rivalry and jealousy shown in Matthew 20:24.
- Luke 22:24 (thematic): At the Last Supper the disciples dispute who is greatest — another NT instance of jealous contention among the Twelve, echoing the theme of Matthew 20:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
- But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Matt.20.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ειπεν·Οιδατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχοντες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- κατακυριευουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεγαλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- κατεξουσιαζουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
Parallels
- Mark 10:42 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus uses the same language about rulers dominating (οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν) to contrast worldly authority with his teaching on service.
- Luke 22:25 (verbal): Close verbal parallel in Luke’s Passion-discourse context: the same observation about kings and rulers exercising domination is used to set up a contrast with Jesus’ view of greatness.
- Matthew 20:26-28 (structural): Immediate literary continuation in Matthew: Jesus contrasts worldly domination with his requirement that the greatest be a servant and cites his own mission (to serve and give his life) as the model.
- Mark 9:35 (thematic): Parallel teaching form: Jesus declares that whoever wants to be first must be servant of all—same theme of rejecting lordly domination in favor of humble service.
- Philippians 2:5-7 (thematic): New Testament theological echo: Christ’s self-emptying and taking the form of a servant exemplifies the servant-leadership Jesus contrasts with worldly rulers who 'exercise lordship'.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.'
- It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
Matt.20.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουχ: PART
- ουτως: ADV
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν·αλλ᾽ος: PRON,dat,pl,2
- αν: PART
- θελη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- μεγας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- διακονος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:43 (verbal): Nearly identical saying—Jesus teaches that whoever wants to be great among you must be a servant (διακονος).
- Mark 9:35 (thematic): Jesus reverses status: the first must be last and a servant of all, echoing servant-leadership and humility themes.
- Luke 22:26 (verbal): Very similar wording and context: 'Not so with you; but the greatest among you shall be as the youngest, and the leader as the one who serves.'
- John 13:14-15 (thematic): Jesus washes the disciples' feet and models servant leadership, commanding them to do likewise—practical illustration of being 'servant' to be great.
- Matt.23:11 (verbal): Within Matthew’s Gospel: 'The greatest among you shall be your servant' echoed in the paradoxical statement that the least in the kingdom is greatest.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.'
- And whoever would be first among you must be your slave.
Matt.20.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ος: PRO,nom,sg,m
- αν: PART
- θελη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πρωτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- δουλος·: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:44 (verbal): Near-verbal parallel in Mark’s version of the teaching: 'whoever would be first among you must be a servant/slave' (same injunction to humble service).
- Matt.23:11 (verbal): Internal Matthean parallel: Jesus again states that 'the greatest among you shall be your servant,' repeating the same principle within Matthew’s discourse on humility and leadership.
- Luke 22:26 (thematic): Luke frames the same teaching in the context of the Last Supper: the greatest must become like the youngest and the leader like a servant—the theme of exaltation through lowliness.
- John 13:16 (thematic): After washing the disciples’ feet Jesus teaches that 'a servant is not greater than his master,' grounding the ethic of mutual service and modeling servanthood as Christian leadership.
- Philippians 2:7 (thematic): Paul’s portrait of Christ 'taking the form of a servant/slave' echoes the theological ideal behind Jesus’ command: true greatness is expressed in self-emptying service.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'And whoever would be first among you must be your slave.'
- For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
Matt.20.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωσπερ: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ουκ: PART
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- διακονηθηναι: VERB,aor,pas,inf
- αλλα: CONJ
- διακονησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- δουναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ψυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- λυτρον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αντι: PREP
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:45 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Jesus ‘came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (close verbal parallel and shared saying).
- Luke 22:27 (verbal): Jesus defines his identity in terms of service—‘I am among you as one who serves’—echoing the servant-leader motif of Matt 20:28.
- Isaiah 53:10-12 (allusion): The Suffering Servant imagery (pouring out his life, bearing sin, making intercession for transgressors) undergirds the language of giving life and ransom for many.
- Philippians 2:6-8 (thematic): Paul’s kenotic hymn describes Christ’s self‑emptying and humble service culminating in death—paralleling Jesus’ servant identity and sacrificial giving of his life.
- 1 Timothy 2:6 (verbal): Paulic formulation that Christ ‘gave himself as a ransom for all’ echoes Matthew’s ransom language and the universal scope of the giving of life.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'For just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
- and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons; and kneeling she made a request of him.
He said to her, "What do you desire?" She said to him, "Say that in your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We can."
He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right hand and my left is not mine to grant— it is for those for whom my Father has prepared it."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
It shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever would be great among you must be your servant;
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.