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Author: Stephen Weller
604 words, 3 minutes read time

A Request For Her Sons

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-21; Mk 10:38

With the previous lesson we covered another short section in which Jesus, for the third time, predicts his death and resurrection. With this lesson we will begin a new section about serving and ruling.

^{Mt 20:20} “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something, ^{Mk 10:35} [saying, “Teacher,] we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”’

From Matthew 4:21 we know that the sons of Zebedee were James and John. In Matthew 27:56 the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Mary Magdalene were at a distance from the cross. The parallel verse in Mark 15:40 includes Salome. There were two disciples named James: James the son of Zebedee and James the Less. The Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) concludes that the Salome of Mark 15:40 is probably identical with the mother of the sons of Zebedee in Matthew.

John 19:25 identifies four women standing at the cross of Jesus: “his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” A common interpretation identifies Salome as the sister of Jesus’ mother, thus making her Jesus’ aunt” (Topical Bible: Salome including Smith’s Bible Dictionary, ATS Bible Dictionary, Easton’s Bible Dictionary and International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.”). This would make James and John cousins of Jesus.

Salome, the probable mother of the sons of Zebedee, brings her two sons, James and John, up to Jesus, and kneeling before him she asks him a favor for her sons. Being his possible aunt, she might assume some influence with Jesus.

^{Mt 20:21} [Jesus] said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”

This request may have been prompted by the statement Jesus made in Matthew 19:28 ESV: “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” To sit at the left hand and the right hand would be considered positions of honor; especially at the right hand.

^{Mk 10:38} “Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”’

If this were granted it would be a future time of glory, to be reached only by following the path of suffering that Jesus would have to take. Jesus points out two things he must do: drink from the cup and be baptized. That cup that Jesus was to drink from was the cup of God’s wrath that was intended for us because of our sin. That cup was given to Jesus by his Father who is prepared to drink it in our place. His baptism was his suffering and death, which would wash over him like a flood as described in Psalm 88:7 ESV: “Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.”

Conclusion

The Bible does contain some interesting puzzles. Was Salone the mother of the sons of Zebedee and the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus, thus making James and John cousins of Jesus? Very possibly.