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Matthew 20:17-28
Jesus is approached by his disciples, John and James, and their mother (most likely the aunt of Jesus). As they are beginning to understand that Jesus is the Messiah, they come to him with a request, asking that they might share in the authority and preeminence of Jesus when his kingdom is fully established. Jesus affirms that his authority comes from the Father, who assigns the positions. Then he turns it all upside down with his statement that to be great in the kingdom, one must be a servant.
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:17-28
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus is approached by his disciples, John and James, and their mother (most likely the aunt of Jesus). As they are beginning to understand that Jesus is the Messiah, they come to him with a request, asking that they might share in the authority and preeminence of Jesus when his kingdom is fully established. Jesus affirms that his authority comes from the Father, who assigns the positions. Then he turns it all upside down with his statement that to be great in the kingdom, one must be a servant.
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:17-28
Discussion Questions
- How do James and John (through their mother) approach Jesus? What are they asking for? How does Jesus respond to their request?
- Read 1 Cor 9:19; 2 Cor 4:5; 1 Peter 1:22-23. What do you learn from these verses about being a servant?
- Why is it difficult to choose servanthood over status?
- What does it practically look like to be a servant in our families, workplaces, or church?
- In what ways does remembering that Jesus “gave His life as a ransom for many” shape how we treat others?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?