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Matthew 20:20-34 Mother left the right idea
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Matthew 20:20-34 Mother left the right idea
I recently (2021-04-04) heard a pastor go on and on about how Peter and John continually concerned themselves with who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. They even wanted to sit on his right and left hand. I needed to check it out.

This idea was repeated, with John and James, the next week (2021-04-11) in a sermon at another church.

First, to be correct, the following are brothers. Because the same story is in Matthew and Mark, both stories will be presented.

2. Matthew 20:20-34 Mother left the right idea
In Matthew, the mother of James and John makes a request of Jesus.

Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]
Verse routeο δε ειπεν αυτη τι θελεις λεγει αυτω ειπε ινα καθισωσιν ουτοι οι δυο υιοι μου εις εκ δεξιων και εις εξ ευωνυμων σου εν τη βασιλεια σου [gnt]

Verse route6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [kjv]
Verse routeσου δε ποιουντος ελεημοσυνην μη γνωτω η αριστερα σου τι ποιει η δεξια σου [gnt]

Ancient Greek had one word for "right" and two words for "left".

3. Matthew 6:3 Left hand
Verse routeMatthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [kjv]
Verse routeσου δε ποιουντος ελεημοσυνην μη γνωτω η αριστερα σου τι ποιει η δεξια σου [gnt]

The "right" in the above verse is the traditional "right" but the "left" is not the traditional "left". Here are the traditional "left" and "right" from a verse earlier in Matthew.

4. Strongs - right

5. Usage - right
*G1188 *54 δεξιός (dex-ee-os') : from G1209; the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes):--right (hand, side).
Word usage per chapter Words: δεξια=17 δεξιαν=4 δεξιας=5 δεξιοις δεξιον=3 δεξιος δεξιων=23


6. Strongs - left

7. Strongs - left

8. Usage - left
*G710 *4 ἀριστερός (ar-is-ter-os') : apparently a comparative of the same as G712; the left hand (as second-best):--left (hand).
Word usage per chapter Words: αριστερα αριστερων=3

*G2176 *9 εὐώνυμος (yoo-o'-noo-mos) : from G2095 and G3686; properly, well-named (good-omened), i.e. the left (which was the lucky side among the pagan Greeks); neuter as adverbial, at the left hand:--(on the) left.
Word usage per chapter Words: ευωνυμον=2 ευωνυμων=7


9. Matthew 6:3
   Matthew 6:3 
 All 
KJV: But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Greek: σου δε ποιουντος ελεημοσυνην μη γνωτω η αριστερα σου τι ποιει η δεξια σου
Latin: te autem faciente elemosynam nesciat sinistra tua quid faciat dextera tua
Wessex: Soðlice þonne þu þine aelmesse do. nete þin wynstre hwaet do þin swiðre.
Tyndale: But whe thou doest thine almes let not thy lyfte had knowe what thy righte had doth

10. Matthew 25:33 Left word
Verse routeMatthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι στησει τα μεν προβατα εκ δεξιων αυτου τα δε εριφια εξ ευωνυμων [gnt]
Verse routedextrissinistris [v]

Divide into two parts
The word used in Matthew 25:34 and usually translated as "left" is the ancient Greek word "εὐώνυμος""of good name, honored, fortunate, ominous, ill-boding". This word has two parts.
Did those on the "left" think that they had a "good name" in the eyes of the world? Did the immature "kid goats" on the "left", of "good name" and "honored" and "fortunate" have some evil omen associated with them? This is similar to the Latin word for "left" becoming the English word "sinister".

Another ancient Greek word for "left" was "ἀριστερός""left, ominous, clumsy".

Information sign More: Matthew 25:31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats

11. Matthew 27:38 Left and right
Verse routeMatthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. [kjv]
Verse routeτοτε σταυρουνται συν αυτω δυο λησται εις εκ δεξιων και εις εξ ευωνυμων [gnt]

This word for "left" appears in a number of places, including the placement of the "thieves" on either side of Jesus on the cross.

Here we may have a parallel to the parable of the sheep and goat judgment. One thief was repentant, one not.

It is not clear which thief was on which side - from the point of view of the crowd, of Jesus, from the back, etc.

It is unclear what the exact difference is between the two words for "left", both of which have a "sinister" or "evil omen" association. Perhaps one is from the point of view of the person and the other from the point of view of others looking on.

12. Matthew 27:38
 All 
KJV: Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Greek: τοτε σταυρουνται συν αυτω δυο λησται εις εκ δεξιων και εις εξ ευωνυμων

13. Matthew and Mark Desire
Verse routeMatthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. [kjv]
Verse routeτοτε προσηλθεν αυτω η μητηρ των υιων ζεβεδαιου μετα των υιων αυτης προσκυνουσα και αιτουσα τι απ αυτου [gnt]

Verse routeMark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι προσπορευονται αυτω ιακωβος και ιωαννης οι δυο υιοι ζεβεδαιου λεγοντες αυτω διδασκαλε θελομεν ινα ο εαν αιτησωμεν σε ποιησης ημιν [gnt]

It is usually accepted that Mark was writing, by and large, what Peter had told him. The primary difference in the accounts is that Mark does not mention the mother. Why might that be?

How many young men want to have their mother embarrass them in front of others? Might Peter have left this detail out?

14. Dr. Dobson
Dr. Dobson tells the story that, when he misbehaved in school, his mother told him that if he did it again, she would come with him to school and sit with him to make sure he behaved.

Just the though of the embarrassment of having his mother there in front of the other kids motivated him to not be bad in class again.

15. Matthew 20:20
 All 
KJV: Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Greek: τοτε προσηλθεν αυτω η μητηρ των υιων ζεβεδαιου μετα των υιων αυτης προσκυνουσα και αιτουσα τι παρ απ αυτου

16. Mark 10:35
   Mark 10:35 
 All 
KJV: And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
Greek: και προσπορευονται αυτω ιακωβος και ιωαννης οι δυο υιοι ζεβεδαιου λεγοντες αυτω διδασκαλε θελομεν ινα ο εαν αιτησωμεν σε ποιησης ημιν

17. Matthew and Mark Left and right
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]
Verse routeο δε ειπεν αυτη τι θελεις λεγει αυτω ειπε ινα καθισωσιν ουτοι οι δυο υιοι μου εις εκ δεξιων και εις εξ ευωνυμων σου εν τη βασιλεια σου [gnt]

Verse routeMark 10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? [kjv]
Verse routeο δε ειπεν αυτοις τι θελετε ποιησω υμιν [gnt]
Verse route10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. [kjv]
Verse routeοι δε ειπαν αυτω δος ημιν ινα εις σου εκ δεξιων και εις εξ αριστερων καθισωμεν εν τη δοξη σου [gnt]

Left and rightIn Matthew, the mother wants one to sit on the "right" and one on the "left". The TR (Textus Receptus) changes the "left" in Mark to match the "left" in Matthew.
The terms "left" and "right" are relative to the viewer and context, so we will not be concerned about the absolute "left" and "right" directions and assume that they refer to one generic "side" .

18. Matthew 20:21
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: ο δε ειπεν αυτη τι θελεις λεγει αυτω ειπε ινα καθισωσιν ουτοι οι δυο υιοι μου εις εκ δεξιωνσου και εις εξ ευωνυμωνσου εν τη βασιλεια σου

19. Mark 10:37
   Mark 10:37 
 All 
KJV: They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Greek: οι δε ειπον ειπαν αυτω δος ημιν ινα εις σου εκ δεξιων σου και εις εξ ευωνυμων σου αριστερων καθισωμεν εν τη δοξη σου

20. Location
The location of where this happens is important.

21. Matthew and Mark Not possible
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]
Verse routeαποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω μελλω πινειν λεγουσιν αυτω δυναμεθα [gnt]

Verse routeMark 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? [kjv]
Verse routeο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω πινω η το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθηναι [gnt]



Shallow 2The requested "left" and "right" in the "kingdom" appears to not be possible. James and John do not know for what they are asking.

It appears that no one is greater nor less than anyone else in the "kingdom".

22. Matthew 20:22
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω μελλω πινειν και το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθηναι λεγουσιν λεγουσιν αυτω δυναμεθα

23. Mark 10:38
   Mark 10:38 
 All 
KJV: But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Greek: ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω πινω και η το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθηναι

24. Matthew and Mark Organizational chart
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]
Verse route λεγει αυτοις το μεν ποτηριον μου πιεσθε το δε καθισαι εκ δεξιων μου και εξ ευωνυμων ουκ εστιν εμον δουναι αλλ οις ητοιμασται υπο του πατρος μου [gnt]

Verse routeMark 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: [kjv]
Verse routeοι δε ειπαν αυτω δυναμεθα ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις το ποτηριον ο εγω πινω πιεσθε και το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθησεσθε [gnt]
Verse route10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. [kjv]
Verse routeτο δε καθισαι εκ δεξιων μου η εξ ευωνυμων ουκ εστιν εμον δουναι αλλ οις ητοιμασται [gnt]


25. Matthew and Mark Organizational chart
Shallow 0 Shallow 1
The organizational chart of Jesus appears to have everyone at the same level in the "kingdom". No one is greater nor less than anyone else in the "kingdom". Jesus appears to emphasize this at the Last Supper, with the foot washing, etc.
The request for one to be on the "left" and one on the "right" appears to violate this arrangement. They do not appear to know exactly for what they are asking.

26. Matthew 20:23
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: και λεγει αυτοις το μεν ποτηριον μου πιεσθε και το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθησεσθε το δε δε καθισαι εκ δεξιων μου και εξ ευωνυμωνμου ουκ εστιν εμον δουναι αλλ οις ητοιμασται υπο του πατρος μου

27. Mark 10:39
   Mark 10:39 
 All 
KJV: And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
Greek: οι δε ειπον ειπαν αυτω δυναμεθα ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις το μεν ποτηριον ο εγω πινω πιεσθε και το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθησεσθε

28. Mark 10:40
   Mark 10:40 
 All 
KJV: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Greek: το δε καθισαι εκ δεξιων μου και η εξ ευωνυμων μου ουκ εστιν εμον δουναι αλλ οις ητοιμασται

29. Matthew and Mark Indignation
Verse routeMatthew 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ακουσαντες οι δεκα ηγανακτησαν περι των δυο αδελφων [gnt]

Verse routeMark 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ακουσαντες οι δεκα ηρξαντο αγανακτειν περι ιακωβου και ιωαννου [gnt]

Jesus went on to explain how his kingdom was not a hierarchy as the kingdoms of man tended to be.

So from Matthew's account, it appears that the mother of John and James put them up to it. Or did they put their mother up to it?

These "men" were not that old as Jesus might have picked younger men that were not yet set in their ways and that would be able to do His work for many years to come.

30. Matthew 20:24
 All 
KJV: And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Greek: και ακουσαντες οι δεκα ηγανακτησαν περι των δυο αδελφων

31. Mark 10:41
   Mark 10:41 
 All 
KJV: And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
Greek: και ακουσαντες οι δεκα ηρξαντο αγανακτειν περι ιακωβου και ιωαννου

32. Mark 10:36
   Mark 10:36 
 All 
KJV: And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
Greek: ο δε ειπεν αυτοις τι θελετε ποιησαι με ποιησω υμιν

33. Matthew 20:25
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]


34. Matthew 20:25
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: ο δε ιησους προσκαλεσαμενος αυτους ειπεν οιδατε οτι οι αρχοντες των εθνων κατακυριευουσιν αυτων και οι μεγαλοι κατεξουσιαζουσιν αυτων

35. Matthew 20:26
Verse routeMatthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [kjv]


36. Matthew 20:26
 All 
KJV: But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Greek: ουχ ουτως δε εστιν εσται εν υμιν αλλ ος εαν αν θελη εν υμιν μεγας γενεσθαι εστω εσται υμων διακονος

37. Matthew 20:27
Verse routeMatthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: [kjv]


38. Matthew 20:27
 All 
KJV: And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Greek: και ος εαν αν θελη εν υμιν ειναι πρωτος εστω εσται υμων δουλος

39. Matthew 20:28
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]


40. Matthew 20:28
 All 
KJV: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Greek: ωσπερ ο υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ ηλθεν διακονηθηναι αλλα διακονησαι και δουναι την ψυχην αυτου λυτρον αντι πολλων

41. Matthew 20:29
Verse routeMatthew 20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. [kjv]


42. Matthew 20:29
 All 
KJV: And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Greek: και εκπορευομενων αυτων απο ιεριχω ηκολουθησεν αυτω οχλος πολυς

43. Matthew 20:30
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]


44. Matthew 20:30
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: και ιδου δυο τυφλοι καθημενοι παρα την οδον ακουσαντες οτι ιησους παραγει εκραξαν λεγοντες κυριε ελεησον ημας κυριε υιος δαβιδ δαυιδ

45. Matthew 20:31
Verse routeMatthew 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. [kjv]


46. Matthew 20:31
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: ο δε οχλος επετιμησεν αυτοις ινα σιωπησωσιν οι δε μειζον εκραζον εκραξαν λεγοντες κυριε ελεησον ημας κυριε υιος δαβιδ δαυιδ

47. Matthew 20:32
Verse routeMatthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? [kjv]


48. Matthew 20:32
 All 
KJV: And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Greek: και στας ο ιησους εφωνησεν αυτους και ειπεν τι θελετε ποιησω υμιν

49. Matthew 20:33
Verse routeMatthew 20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. [kjv]


50. Matthew 20:33
 All 
KJV: They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
Greek: λεγουσιν αυτω κυριε ινα ανοιχθωσιν ημων ανοιγωσιν οι οφθαλμοι ημων

51. Matthew 20:34
Verse routeMatthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. [kjv]


52. Matthew 20:34
 All 
KJV: So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Greek: σπλαγχνισθεις δε ο ιησους ηψατο των οφθαλμων ομματων αυτων και ευθεως ανεβλεψαν αυτων οι οφθαλμοι και ηκολουθησαν αυτω

53. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640