Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
A Kingdom Misunderstood
Commentators unanimously explain that the request for the right and left-hand seats was rooted in a misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom. The disciples envisioned an earthly, political kingdom with positions of power and prestige, completely missing Jesus' recent teachings about his suffering and death. This reveals how easily even close followers can be driven by worldly ambition.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Matthew
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 20:21
18th Century
Theologian
Grant that these my two sons may sit, etc. They were still looking for a temporal kingdom. They expected that he would reign on the earth …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 20:21
19th Century
Preacher
He is thinking of a cross, and they are dreaming of a crown. He is speaking of being mocked and put to death, and they have ideas of royalty, that …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 20:21
The “right hand” and “left hand” suggest proximity to the King’s person and so a share in his prestige and power. Such positions increase as the Ki…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
John Calvin
On Matthew 20:21
16th Century
Theologian
In the kingdom. It was commendable in the sons of Zebedee that they expected some kingdom of Christ, of which not even t…
John Gill
On Matthew 20:21
17th Century
Pastor
And he said to her, what do you want ?
&c.] Mark says, "he said to them"; her two sons, James and John, "what would …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 20:20–28
17th Century
Minister
The sons of Zebedee misused what Christ said to comfort the disciples. Some people cannot receive comforts without turning them to a wrong purpose.…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 20:17–34
13th Century
Philosopher
In the preceding section, the Lord refuted those who attempted to obtain glory because of a long period of time; here, He refutes the one who attem…