SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:21
Y él le dijo: ¿Qué quieres? Ella le dijo: Di que se sienten estos dos hijos míos, el uno a tu mano derecha, y el otro a tu izquierda, en tu Reino.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:21
Verse 21. Grant that these my two sons] James and John. See Mark xv. 40. In the preceding chapter, chap. xix. 28, our Lord had promised his disciples, that they should sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes. Salome, probably hearing of this, and understanding it literally, came to request the chief dignities in this new government for her sons; and it appears it was at their instigation that she made this request, for Mark, Mark x. 35, informs us that these brethren themselves made the request, i.e. they made it through the medium of their mother. One on thy right hand, and the other on (THY) left] I have added the pronoun in the latter clause on the authority of almost every MS. and version of repute.
That the sons of Zebedee wished for ecclesiastical, rather than secular honours, may be thought probable, from the allusion that is made here to the supreme dignities in the great Sanhedrin. The prince of the Sanhedrin (HA-NASI) sat in the midst of two rows of senators or elders; on his right hand sat the person termed AB (the father of the Sanhedrin;) and on his left hand the CHACHAM, or sage. These persons transacted all business in the absence of the president. The authority of this council was at some periods very great, and extended to a multitude of matters both ecclesiastical and civil. These appear to have been the honours which James and John sought. They seem to have strangely forgot the lesson they had learned from the transfiguration.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. And he said unto her, what wilt thou ? etc.] Mark says, “he said unto them”; her two sons, James and John, “what would you that I should do for you?” Both is true; what is this singular favour? what business of moment and importance is it, you would have me do for you, you are so eager and pressing for, and so solicitous of? This he said, not as being ignorant of the matter; he knew the corruption of their hearts, the vanity of their minds, their carnal, worldly, and ambitious views; but to lead them on to say all they had to say upon this head; in which may be observed the goodness, humanity, and patience of Christ, in not upbraiding them with their pride and insolence, in bearing with their rashness and folly, and in giving them room to believe, that he should answer their request in every thing that was right and reasonable to be done, She saith unto him, grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on the right hand, and the other the left in thy kingdom : or, as in Mark, “in thy glory” that is, in thy glorious kingdom; meaning a temporal one, which would outdo all the kingdoms of the world, in external glory, pomp, and splendour, as they imagined: to sit one on the right hand and the other on the left hand of Christ, when he should be seated, literally, on the throne of his father David, signifies to be nearest to his person; to be next to him in power and authority; to have the highest posts of honour, and places of trust and profit; to be his prime ministers; and, in a word, to have the greatest share next to him of worldly honour, riches, and power. To sit at the right hand, was, with the Jews, reckoned a great mark of honour and affection; (see 1 Kings 2:19) and so with other nations: with the Egyptians especially, it was accounted a great honour to be placed on the right hand, but the greatest to be in the middle: which was equally observed among the Romans, and the same with the Africans and Numidians; though Xenophon relates, that Cyrus, with a singular prudence, that he might receive his guests the more honourably, used to place them at the left hand, accounting that part, as nearest the heart, to be the more worthy. These two, the best and most honourable places, this woman was for engrossing for her two sons, who joined with her in the request; for Mark says, that “they said unto him, grant unto us that we may sit, etc.” and Christ’s answer here, which follows, implies as much.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 20-28 - The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort the disciples Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a wrong purpose. Prid is a sin that most easily besets us; it is sinful ambition to outd others in pomp and grandeur. To put down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings It is a bitter cup that is to be drunk of; a cup of trembling, but no the cup of the wicked. It is but a cup, it is but a draught, bitte perhaps, but soon emptied; it is a cup in the hand of a Father, Jo 18:11. Baptism is an ordinance by which we are joined to the Lord i covenant and communion; and so is suffering for Christ, Eze 20:37; Is 48:10. Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward an spiritual grace; and so is suffering for Christ, for unto us it is given, Php 1:29. But they knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism. Those are commonly most confident, who are least acquainte with the cross. Nothing makes more mischief among brethren, than desir of greatness. And we never find Christ's disciples quarrelling, but something of this was at the bottom of it. That man who labours mos diligently, and suffers most patiently, seeking to do good to his brethren, and to promote the salvation of souls, most resembles Christ and will be most honoured by him to all eternity. Our Lord speaks of his death in the terms applied to the sacrifices of old. It is sacrifice for the sins of men, and is that true and substantia sacrifice, which those of the law faintly and imperfectly represented It was a ransom for many, enough for all, working upon many; and, is for many, then the poor trembling soul may say, Why not for me?
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτη 846 P-DSF τι 5101 I-ASN θελεις 2309 5719 V-PAI-2S λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ειπε 2036 5628 V-2AAM-2S ινα 2443 CONJ καθισωσιν 2523 5661 V-AAS-3P ουτοι 3778 D-NPM οι 3588 T-NPM δυο 1417 A-NUI υιοι 5207 N-NPM μου 3450 P-1GS εις 1520 A-NSM εκ 1537 PREP δεξιων 1188 A-GPM σου 4675 P-2GS και 2532 CONJ εις 1520 A-NSM εξ 1537 PREP ευωνυμων 2176 A-GPM εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF βασιλεια 932 N-DSF σου 4675 P-2GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
21. Grant (eipe ). Lit., speak; i.e., with authority. Compare "command these stones," Matt. iv. 3; "bid you," Matt. xxiii. 3. Rev., command.
