Matthew 19:1 ¶ And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
Once again we start with a time marker indicating a chronological flow of the narrative. Jesus departed from Galilee and headed to the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan toward Jerusalem. Great multitudes of people followed Him seeking healing, and they were healed.
Matthew 19:3 ¶ The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Once again, we find the Pharisees attempting to discredit Jesus in some way. This time they chose the subject of divorce. The question they posed to Him was basically, “Can a man divorce his wife for any reason?”
I really liked the following observation by Burton Coffman: “The Pharisees were not asking for information but in the hope of opening up a conflict between the teachings of Moses and those of Christ. This is actually an unconscious admission on their part of the weakness in Moses' permission of divorce because, if Christ had agreed with Moses, they would have had no case. The proof of weakness in Moses' position is that they instinctively knew Christ would not agree with it! Why? They knew in their hearts that Moses was wrong (or at least partially so); and, intuitively, those evil men recognized in Christ a higher purity and knowledge than existed in Moses and decided to take advantage of it if they could.”
Jesus answered by immediately pointing them back to scripture—the very earliest scriptures. Moses recorded that God made male and female in the very beginning with the intent that man and woman should join together as helpmeets throughout life. A man was to leave his parents (implied—and the woman as well) to join together as one flesh in the eyes of God. Once joined together as one flesh, it was God’s will for that union to be permanent and never torn apart.
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
I think it is significant to note that we were created so that the very anatomy of
our bodies declare the truth of marriage being for one man and one woman—not man and man or woman and woman.
Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Question 2 from the Pharisees, “Why did Moses give a command to allow a man to divorce his wife? He told them that it was because of the hardness of man’s heart that Moses made allowance for divorce; however, that was never God’s intention.
Deuteronomy 24:1 “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.”
Note that Jesus emphasized the fact that the ruling of Moses was an allowance made in light of the hardness of man’s heart, not a command. He then goes on to declare that if a man divorces his wife for any reason except fornication and marries someone else, he is guilty of adultery and the person who marries the divorced woman is guilty of adultery.
Matthew 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Jesus did not deny that what the disciples stated was true; He stated that basically very few men could tolerate celibacy. Only those “to whom it is given” seems to be a reference to a special calling by God. He then explains further. Some men are born eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by the actions of others men, and some have purposed to be eunuchs in the service of the Lord.
Eunuch = one who is castrated, impotent or unmarried (from the Greek)
I liked David Stern’s comment in his Jewish New Testament Commentary: “Depending on the calling and preferences of the individual, Yeshua allows that either the married or the single life can be one of service to God and humanity; and he takes care to minimize needless guilt on the part of those making the choice.”
Matthew 19:13 ¶ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
These verses seem to be an abrupt change of subject. Matthew records that the little children (very young according to the Greek) were being brought to Jesus for Him to bless them with prayer. The disciples evidently considered this to be too bothersome to Jesus and rebuked those bringing the children. He, however, rebuked the disciples and told them to allow the children to come. He used it as an opportunity to reinforce previous teaching (see beginning of previous chapter). He reminded the disciples that those who want to be part of His kingdom must come as little children—humble and trusting. I like Mark’s additional insight.
Mark 10:16 “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Jesus took the children up in His arms and blessed them before leaving the area.
Matthew 19:16 ¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
This section of scripture is widely known as the story of the rich young ruler. In Mark’s account he is depicted as running to kneel before Jesus before asking his question—“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” As do so many people today, this young man thought he could earn his way to heaven. The question also implies that the young man recognized Jesus as having the authority to answer his question; but sadly, he couldn’t bring himself to make the necessary sacrifice.
Jesus first focused on the fact that the young man called Him “good” master. Scripture is clear in declaring that no man is good, only God is good.
Psalms 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”
Psalms 106:1 “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
In light of that truth, the Lord asked the young man why he called Him good. Implied in that question is another question—Do you recognize Me as your Messiah? Jesus then goes on to answer the young man in a way that seems to affirm the necessity of good works.
Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Jesus basically tells the young man that he must obey the commandments of God in his dealings with his fellow man.
Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
The young man quickly answered that he had obeyed these commandments since he was but a youth. Then Jesus instructs him so as to reveal the true purpose of His question—insight to his character. He told the young man that he lacked but one thing—to go and sell all that he owned and give it to the poor to assure his possession of treasure in heaven. He was then to come and follow Jesus as His disciple. Mark also tells us that Jesus explained that this would involve taking up his own cross—a willingness to deny self.
Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
The young man could not believe what he heard and went away sorrowful. Why? Because he was very rich and had many and valuable possessions. Did he understand that his response revealed that he did not truly love his neighbors as himself? We see that Jesus used those commandments to reveal that the young man was not as pure as he thought he was. When confronted with having to choose between his money and possessions and following Jesus, the young man chose his wealth over eternal life. How sad!
Mark also shared another important bit of information—Jesus looked at the young man and loved him. Because He loved the young man, He told him the truth; He was concerned about the young man’s eternal future. That should be true of every believer today. We should be willing to share the truth with those we love without regard as to how that might impact our relationship with them in this life.
Matthew 19:23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
As the young man walked away, Jesus told His disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In fact, He said, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. It just goes to show how riches can become so important that the thought of giving them up—even for eternal life—is unthinkable. One’s identity can get entwined so intricately with one’s riches, that the thought of living without them is impossible.
Notice that the Lord uses the terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God interchangeably.
Matthew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
The disciples were amazed at what Jesus said. The prevalent view of the day was that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing. In light of that belief, it would make one wonder how anyone could be saved if those whose lives evidence God’s blessing cannot be saved.
Jesus understood the mindset of the disciples and declared that what seemed impossible for man was possible for God. This is a truth that is declared many times throughout scripture.
Job 42:1–2 “Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
Isaiah 14:24 “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:”
Isaiah 43:11–13 “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”
Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee….Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Scripture gives us many examples of men of wealth who were men of faith in God—Abraham, Job, Boaz, King David, Joseph of Arimathea, etc.
Attaining wealth is the goal of most in the world today. Obviously, some have greater opportunity to do so than others. Wealth is also relative according to where you live. Still, the culture prevalent throughout the world today is to attain as much wealth as possible. Those who reach that goal and accrue great wealth usually find themselves more and more possessed by their wealth. It becomes harder and harder for one in such a position to truly lay down his life before God and say, “I want you to be my Lord and Savior. I want to do your will whatever the cost.”
Note that the disciples automatically equated salvation to being part of God’s kingdom.
Matthew 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
The disciples were human—just like us. As usual, it is Peter that blurts out his thoughts in connection with what Jesus had just said. My paraphrase: “Lord, we have forsaken all we own to follow you. What will be our reward?”
Again, Jesus understands Peter’s heart. He lets Peter know that God rewards those who give their lives to Him in this life to use as He so chooses. When (not if) the Son of man (a term the Lord often used to reference Himself) comes to take His earthly throne, they will sit on twelve thrones as judges over the twelve tribes of Israel. In fact, every person that is willing to forsake all in this world in faith and obedience to God will be rewarded far beyond their expectation (as clarified by Luke) in the kingdom and will inherit the greatest blessing of all—eternal life, life in the presence of God for time without end.
Luke 18:29–30 “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”
Note that the kingdom is referenced as a time of “regeneration,” a time of spiritual restoration. I think it also includes the alleviation of the curse against the earth as foretold in many scriptures.
Isaiah 11:5–9 “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Jeremiah 23:5–6 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Romans 8:19–23 “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God….Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Jesus then explains that those who seem to be most esteemed in society today will find themselves in lower positions in the kingdom than those who have been willing to sacrifice their all for Jesus without regard to wealth or position in this life. This truth applied directly to the disciples. Though they would not be esteemed by the multitudes as they sought to spread the gospel in obedience to the Lord’s command, they would find themselves greatly esteemed in the kingdom.
Matthew 20:1 ¶ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
Matthew 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Matthew 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Matthew 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
Once again the chapter break is unfortunate. With this parable Jesus will continue to build on the events from the previous chapter and truth of the last verse: “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” It’s a teaching on grace.
Jesus tells the story of the head of a family, the master, who goes out early in the morning to hire people to work in his vineyard. He did so for a penny a day—a denarius, a usual amount for a day of work. About the third hour of the day (9:00 am) he noticed some others standing idle in the marketplace needing work, so he hired them as well promising to pay them “whatever is right”—in other words, they agreed to work on the basis of faith. He did the same thing about the sixth hour (noon), ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) and eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.).
It is significant to note that each time the master went to the marketplace, he noticed men standing idle. It is pointed out that the men hired at 5:00 p.m. had been standing idle all day. For some reason, they had not been present on the master’s previous visits to the marketplace. Still, the master offered them one last opportunity to come and work for him; and they did.
Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
Matthew 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
Matthew 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no
wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Matthew 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
When the workday was over, the master called his steward and instructed him to call the laborers in and pay them—beginning from the last to the first. The men hired at 5:00 p.m. were paid a penny. After seeing that, the men that had been hired first expected that they would get more, but they didn’t; they, too, were paid a penny. They then complained to the master that the men that had only worked one hour were paid the same amount that they had been paid. They felt that because they had worked hard during the heat of the day they should have been paid more. The master pointed out that they had agreed to work that day for him for a penny, so he was not mistreating them. He also explained that it was his prerogative to spend his money however he wanted. He then posed a very pointed question: Are you angry because I am doing a good deed?
As one reads through this parable, I think we have to remember that it is being told to a group of Jewish disciples who are expecting to be rewarded when Jesus established His kingdom. It seems that God is the head of the house and Jesus the chief steward.
Scripture refers to Israel as God’s vineyard.
Isaiah 5:7 “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant….”
In light of the context from the previous chapter, it seems that the payment for services rendered picture entry into the kingdom. If so, Jesus is basically saying (my paraphrase), “Should I keep these people out since they did not serve me as long as you did? If so, salvation could not be a work of grace. Is that what you want?”
There is a verse in Proverbs that defines the evil eye.
Proverbs 28:22 “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
Again, in light of the context from the previous chapter, I believe Jesus is rebuking the disciples and hoping to get them to examine their character and their motives for serving Him—just as He did with the rich young ruler.
There is also spiritual application that can be made to the church regarding salvation as the end result of every person’s life of service before God in Christ no matter how long or short that time of service may be. I like this quote from Burton Coffman: “Whatever people do, however long or short their service to God, whatever of sacrifice, blood, or tears, however soon or late they began to serve him, the reward is so fantastically great that the conditions for obtaining it, whether more or less in certain cases, must forever appear utterly and completely insignificant.”
I also like the following observations from David Guzik:
“The point isn't that all have the same reward - though all God's people do go to the same heaven (where they will have reward in different measure). The point is that God rewards on the principle of grace, and we should therefore expect surprises. He will never be lessthan fair, but reserves the right to be more than fair as pleases Him. God's grace always operates righteously.”
“Living under grace is sort of a two-edged sword. Under grace, we can't come to God complaining, ‘Don't I deserve better than this’; because God will reply, ‘Does this mean that you really want Me to give you what you deserve?’"
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
The point being emphasized—The last shall be first and the first last. It’s a story of grace—unmerited favor. No person can earn salvation that leads to eternal life in the kingdom of heaven; it is a gift of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
I like this quote from the Expositor’s Greek Testament: “It suggests rather than adequately illustrates its own moral, which is that God does not love a legal spirit. In the parable the men who worked on contract, and, as it came out at the end, in a legal temper, got their penny, but what awaits them in future is not to be employed at all. Work done in a legal spirit does not count in the Kingdom of God. In reward it is last, or even nowhere.”
In light of worldly wisdom, Jesus notes that though many are called or invited to follow and serve Him, few will prove to be chosen and receive His favor.
Matthew 20:17 ¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Matthew 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
At this point, Matthew notes that Jesus and the twelve disciples are headed “up” to Jerusalem—a journey that would culminate with His death and resurrection. David Stern has an informative comment on this wording: “Jerusalem is located on top of the Judean hills, some 2,500 feet above sea level and higher than most inhabited places in Israel. This particular ascent was being made from Jericho, 900 feet below sea level. But “going up to Jerusalem” has a spiritual dimension which does not depend on altitude — the earth’s spiritual geography is such that from the summit of Mount Everest one still “goes up” to Jerusalem. Today when Jews come to live in Israel they do not “immigrate” but “make aliyah” (the word means “going up”), even if they plan to live on the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth.”
On the way He took them aside to talk to them. He informed them that the “Son of man,” a reference to Himself, would be betrayed unto the chief priests and scribes and condemned to death. They would then deliver Him to the Gentiles (the Roman authorities) to mock, scourge and crucify Him; but on the third day He would resurrect to new life. All of this was foretold by the prophets.
Psalms 22:7–8 “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”
Psalms 22:14–16 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
Isaiah 50:6 “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Note that Jesus is telling the disciples this before Judas has made a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus. It’s also interesting to note how specific Jesus was about what would occur, yet we will see as the narrative unfolds that the disciples just did not seem to process this truth. Luke makes a point of that truth in his account of this event.
Luke 18:34 “And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
Matthew 20:20 ¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Matthew 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
While they were traveling, the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons approached Jesus with a question—a sad question in light of the previous section of scripture. The presence of James and John’s mother alludes to a larger group of followers traveling with them.
An excerpt from my study of John I think is enlightening at this point. Quote:
I was listening to Jon Courson recently, and he mentioned that not only was John the Baptist Jesus’ cousin, so was the Apostle John. I had never heard that before and decided to do some research as to scripture that would back up that statement. I found that a pretty convincing case could be made to support that conclusion. John seems to identify four women at the cross:
1. Mary the mother of Jesus
2. Mary’s sister
3. Mary wife of Cleopas
4. Mary Magdalene
John 19:25 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
Mark 15:40 identifies three women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome. “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome….”
Matthew 4:21 Identifies Zebedee as the father of James and John. “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.”
Matthews 27:56 identifies the women at the cross as Mary Magdalene, Mary wife of Cleopas, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. “Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.” This would seem to be referencing Salome as Mary’s sister when compared to John 19:25.
End quote
In my mind this explains why they would be so bold as to approach the Lord with her question—though they did so humbly by prostrating themselves before Him. She basically asked Jesus if James and John could be given the two highest positions of authority under Him—at His right and left hand—when He established His kingdom.
Jesus let them know that they didn’t realize what they were asking. Obviously, He then looked at James and John and asked them if they were prepared to suffer in the same way that He would soon suffer. They didn’t hesitate to say that they were. I think they answered with about as much forethought as we do today when agreeing to the terms and conditions of so many of the technology apps that we use today.
Jesus prophesied that they would indeed suffer persecution and death as would He, but the positions they sought were determined by the Father—not Jesus in His humanity.
Note: James was the first apostle to be martyred, and John ended up exiled to the island of Patmos because of his faith. John was also the last of the apostles to die.
Matthew 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
When the other disciples heard what James and John had done, they were angry at the two brothers. Jesus called them together to restore peace. He reminded them that Gentile rulers usually end up abusing their power and authority.
The words of Jesus remind me once again of Lord Acton’s quote: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Jesus went on to explain that He would not tolerate that among His disciples. In His kingdom, those who want to be great among them should prove himself a servant to them all. He explained that He, the Son of man, came not to be served, but to serve others and give His life as the promised Redeemer. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Philippians.
Philippians 2:5–8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Also noted in what Jesus said is His understanding that through His sacrifice “many” would be redeemed—but not all. Though His sacrifice was sufficient for all, more would reject the gift of salvation He provided than accept it as was declared in chapter 7.
Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 20:29 ¶ And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Matthew 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Matthew 20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
At this point Jesus and the multitude following Him left Jericho. Two blind men sitting on the roadside heard that Jesus was passing by and called out for Him to have mercy on them. They had evidently heard of His miracles of healing and believed Him to be the “Son of David,” a term referencing the Messiah. The crowd basically told them to “shut up,” but they only cried out louder. Jesus stopped and asked the men what they wanted from Him. They immediately asked for their sight to be restored. Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes; they immediately received their sight. They then joined the multitude following Jesus.
Jesus is always responsive to those who recognize Him as the Savior and are sincere and persistent in their petitions of Him.
I liked Chuck Smith’s observation regarding this event: “When a person's ministry gets so great, and they become so prominent that they lose touch with people, and they can no longer minister to people's individual needs, their ministry has become greater than their Lord.”