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Mother left the right idea
1. 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.
Peter and Andrew
James and John
Because the same story is in Matthew and Mark, both stories will be presented.
2. Mother left the right idea
In Matthew, the mother of James and John makes a request of Jesus.
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. [kjv]
ο 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]
6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [kjv]
σου 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
Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [kjv]
σου 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".
The Latin word "dextrea" ≈ "right" and is the source of the English word "dexterity".
The Latin word "sinistra" ≈ "left" and is the source of the English word "sinister".
The modern Greek word "δεξιός" (theh-ksee-OS) ≈ "right, fortunate" (direction "northward") and is related to the Latin "dextrea".
The modern Greek word "αριστερός" (a-ree-steh-ROS) ≈ "left, ominous".
Here are the traditional "
left" and "
right" from a verse earlier in Matthew.
4. Strongs - right
- *G1188 *54 δεξιός (dex-ee-os') : from G1209; the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes):--right (hand, side).
- δεξιων *23
- Matthew 20:21 ... the one on thy right hand, and the other on ...
- Matthew 20:23 ... to sit on my right hand, and on my ...
- Matthew 22:44 ... Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine ...
- Matthew 25:33 ... the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
- Matthew 25:34 ... unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of ...
- Matthew 26:64 ... of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming ...
- Matthew 27:38 ... him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
- Mark 10:37 ... one on thy right hand, and the other on ...
- Mark 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my ...
- Mark 12:36 ... Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine ...
- Mark 14:62 ... of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming ...
- Mark 15:27 ... thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on ...
- Mark 16:19 ... and sat on the right hand of God.
- Luke 1:11 ... of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
- Luke 20:42 ... Sit thou on my right hand,
- Luke 22:69 ... of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
- Luke 23:33 ... the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
- Acts 2:25 ... he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
- Acts 2:34 ... Sit thou on my right hand,
- Acts 7:55 ... Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
- Acts 7:56 ... of man standing on the right hand of God.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 ... by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- Hebrews 1:13 ... Sit on my right hand, until I make thine ...
- δεξια *17
- Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, ...
- Matthew 6:3 ... know what thy right hand doeth:
- Matthew 27:29 ... a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before ...
- Luke 6:6 ... was a man whose right hand was withered.
- John 21:6 ... Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ...
- Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and ...
- Acts 5:31 ... God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and ...
- Romans 8:34 ... is even at the right hand of God, who also ...
- Ephesians 1:20 ... set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
- Colossians 3:1 ... Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
- Hebrews 1:3 ... sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
- Hebrews 8:1 ... who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
- Hebrews 10:12 ... ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
- Hebrews 12:2 ... and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- 1 Peter 3:22 ... heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and ...
- Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and ...
- Revelation 2:1 ... stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst ...
- δεξιας *5
- Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted ...
- Galatians 2:9 ... to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we ...
- Revelation 1:20 ... thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven ...
- Revelation 5:7 ... took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
- Revelation 13:16 ... a mark in their right hand, or in ...
- δεξιαν *4
- Matthew 5:39 ... thee on thy right cheek, turn to him ...
- Revelation 1:17 ... And he laid his right hand upon me, ...
- Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on ...
- Revelation 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon ...
- δεξιον *3
- Luke 22:50 ... and cut off his right ear.
- John 18:10 ... and cut off his right ear. The servant's name ...
- Revelation 10:2 ... and he set his right foot upon the sea, ...
- δεξιος
- Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, ...
- δεξιοις
- Mark 16:5 ... a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white ...
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).
|
Words: δεξια=17 δεξιαν=4 δεξιας=5 δεξιοις δεξιον=3 δεξιος δεξιων=23
|
6. Strongs - left
- *G710 *4 ἀριστερός (ar-is-ter-os') : apparently a comparative of the same as G712; the left hand (as second-best):--left (hand).
- αριστερων *3
- Mark 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, ...
- Luke 23:33 ... and the other on the left.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 ... of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- αριστερα
- Matthew 6:3 ... let not thy left hand know what thy ...
7. Strongs - left
- *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.
- ευωνυμων *7
- Matthew 20:21 ... and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
- Matthew 20:23 ... and on my left, is not mine ...
- Matthew 25:33 ... but the goats on the left.
- Matthew 25:41 ... also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ...
- Matthew 27:38 ... and another on the left.
- Mark 10:40 ... and on my left hand is not mine ...
- Mark 15:27 ... the other on his left.
- ευωνυμον *2
- Acts 21:3 ... we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, ...
- Revelation 10:2 ... upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
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).
|
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.
|
Words: ευωνυμον=2 ευωνυμων=7
|
9. Matthew 6:3
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
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [kjv]
και στησει τα μεν προβατα εκ δεξιων αυτου τα δε εριφια εξ ευωνυμων [gnt]
… dextris … sinistris [v]
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.
The ancient Greek word "εύ" ≈ "good".
The ancient Greek word "ὄνομα" ≈ "name, reputation, noun".
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".
11. Matthew 27:38 Left and right
Matthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. [kjv]
τοτε 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
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
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
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
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
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. [kjv]
ο 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]
Mark 10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? [kjv]
ο δε ειπεν αυτοις τι θελετε ποιησω υμιν [gnt]
10:37 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]
οι δε ειπαν αυτω δος ημιν ινα εις σου εκ δεξιων και εις εξ αριστερων καθισωμεν εν τη δοξη σου [gnt]
In 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
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
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.
The "left" and "right" at the physical table while Jesus walked the each is unavoidable. Someone must be on one side and someone must be on the other side and the others not on either side.
The "left" and "right" in the "kingdom" is a different matter. We do not have full information about this "location".
21. Matthew and Mark Not possible
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. [kjv]
αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω μελλω πινειν λεγουσιν αυτω δυναμεθα [gnt]
Mark 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]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ οιδατε τι αιτεισθε δυνασθε πιειν το ποτηριον ο εγω πινω η το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθηναι [gnt]
The 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
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
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
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. [kjv]
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]
Mark 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]
οι δε ειπαν αυτω δυναμεθα ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις το ποτηριον ο εγω πινω πιεσθε και το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομαι βαπτισθησεσθε [gnt]
10:40 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]
το δε καθισαι εκ δεξιων μου η εξ ευωνυμων ουκ εστιν εμον δουναι αλλ οις ητοιμασται [gnt]
25. Matthew and Mark Organizational chart
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
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
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
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
Matthew 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. [kjv]
και ακουσαντες οι δεκα ηγανακτησαν περι των δυο αδελφων [gnt]
Mark 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. [kjv]
και 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
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
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
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. End of page