In my biblical interpretation paper, I decided to analyze the story that tells about an ambitious mother and her request to Jesus (Matthew 20:20-23). In this story, the mother of Zebedee’s sons is begging to assign her children to the leading positions in Jesus’s kingdom at his left and right hands. Jesus’s attitude toward this proposal is skeptical as he mentions their ignorance about these positions. So, he asks about brother’s alacrity and capability to drink from the same cup. They state about their readiness and ability to carry the given burden. Jesus, on the other hand, states that even they will drink from his cup, he could not guarantee them to sit at his right and left hands, as it is assigned only for those who have been prepared by his Father.
Looking back to the history of this passage, we could clarify some evidence related to the story. According to Mark 15:40, “the mother of the sons of Zebedee” name was Salome, and names of her sons were John and James. Her husband and the father of her sons Zebedee has left in Galilee (Mark 1:20). Salome followed the group of holy women who accomplished Jesus during his journeys. As mentioned by Bible Hub (Matthew 20:20, n.d), Salome was one of those who believed that “the kingdom of God” under Jesus’s leadership should appear. Her ideas of the formation of “the kingdom of God” are explained by the possible union of twelve tribes of Israel mentioned in Matthew 19:28. The Messianic kingdom promised to have twelve thrones, accordingly twelve rulers, so, Salome wanted to honor her sons.
Matthew 20:20 states about the ambitious desire of a mother to obtain power for her sons. From the lines “and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him”, the following things could be acknowledged: she “worshipping him” that means she recognizes Jesus as the king; she strongly believes that the kingdom of Heaven would be ruled by Jesus (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:20, n.d). Following that, in Matthew 20:21, when she asks Jesus to locate her sons “one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom”, she demands the guarantee of the privileged positions for her sons (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:21, n.d). Moreover, “the left and right hands” implies to next supreme positions in dignity and consideration (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:21,n.d). This is also a direct link for twelve thrones that would be occupied by Jesus’s vassals.
The next verses mentioned by Matthew 20:22 claim that Jesus indicated the hardships and sufferings related to the leading positions. In the verses “Ye know not what ye ask”, he highlights infinite affection and sadness related to their request (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:22, n.d). Moreover, it is crucial to note that in his answer he addresses John and James, but not their mother. By this Jesus mentions brothers’ unawareness about the consequences and sufferings related to their decisions. “To drink of the cup that I shall drink of…” refers to the possibility to be punished or afflicted (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:22, n.d). Additionally, this could imply sharing poisons, patients, and subsequent resurrections related to his role. Next, Jesus’s response supported by the claim that the place “to them for whom it is prepared of my Father” (Matthew 20:23), indicates uncertainty about brother’s fates. The highest stage should be reserved by people with love and glory to God that is equal to his. Despite the doubts expressed by the verses, James first of the twelve who passed through the baptism of blood (Acts 12:2), while John struggled with the great storm of persecution (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:23, n.d).
The overall interpretation of the passage could declare Jesus’s affection toward his fate. From the passage, we could observe that the followers of Jesus drink the same bitter cup of suffering and rejection (Matthew 20:20-23 | Sacred Space, n.d.). Furthermore, it presents the fact that exactly following Jesus’s path could not help to fully understand his ideas and visions. To recognize his feeling, it is needed to have the same love gaze to God.
For the original audience, these messages have far-reaching and profound significance. Essentially, it specifies the uniqueness of Jesus and the power of his faith in God. In addition, the passage insists that the highest level of power brings not only advantages but also sufferings. Lastly, it suggests, even being assigned by Jesus, leaders could be not accepted by God. The image of the ambitious mother could be interpreted as the instance that wants to authorize rulers according to personal preferences regardless of their abilities. Although notable differences between the original and modern audience are present, we could see a similar perception of the passage regarding present-day society.
The passage contains different theological principles important in understanding the context of the Bible. Firstly, it seeks “the kingdom of God’ in its narrative. The idea of a sacred place, where ‘the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and all illnesses are healed” (Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, n.d.) is mentioned by John and James’s mother. Another theological principle expressed in the passage is life-long faith development. The formation of the faith and love to God in Christianity is recognized as “the right and duty of all” (Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, n.d). Based on this principle, faith should continuously deepen regardless the age and sex.
In Matthew 20:20-23, we observe a similar case as John and James should have achieved the same level of faith and obedience as Jesus did. The next theological principle stated in the passage is that regardless of the power, a human is a servant of God. Here, we observe the principle of servant leadership mentioned by Matthew 20:25-28 that states “first among you must be your slave”. The main idea behind that the great power gives them great responsibilities. So, in the passage, Jesus states that after obtaining the authority they must share the suffering and misery of the power.
Considering the passage in the entire context of the Bible, several facts are noticed. Firstly, Salome was not a wife of Zebedee but the mother of his sons (Bible Hub, Matthew 20:20, n.d). It is not clear, if Zebedee did follow Christ, however, John and James did. The principle of Jesus’s superiority and uniqueness fit the overall framework of the Bible. Also, other theological principles including the life-long development of the faith, servant leadership, and “the kingdom of Heaven” support other parts of the Bible. Talking about the modern implementation of the above-mentioned principles, some of them could be recognized besides religion. For example, the principle of servant leadership could be modified according to secular standards. So, leaders and rulers of the countries should priorly represent the interests of the people.
References
American Bible Society. (2000). The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments.
Bible Hub. (n.d.). Matthew 20:20 Commentaries: Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
Bible Hub. (n.d.). Matthew 20:23 Commentaries: He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”. Matthew 20:23 Commentaries.
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. (n.d.). Theological Principles. Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
Sacred Space. Matthew 20:20-23 | Sacred Space. (n.d.).