Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
20:20-28 Each prediction of Jesus’ suffering in Matthew is connected to instruction on the nature of discipleship in light of that suffering (see 16:24-28; 17:24–18:5). This teaching called the Messiah’s disciples to follow his example of service and sacrifice. 20:20-21 This mother’s question appears to have been inspired by her sons, since Jesus responded to the sons rather than to the mother (cp. Mark 10:35-37).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
20:20-28 Each prediction of Jesus’ suffering in Matthew is connected to instruction on the nature of discipleship in light of that suffering (see 16:24-28; 17:24–18:5). This teaching called the Messiah’s disciples to follow his example of service and sacrifice. 20:20-21 This mother’s question appears to have been inspired by her sons, since Jesus responded to the sons rather than to the mother (cp. Mark 10:35-37).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
Then came near to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing and asking something from him,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
τοτε προσηλθεν αυτω η μητηρ των υιων ζεβεδαιου μετα των υιων αυτης προσκυνουσα και αιτουσα τι παρ αυτου
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, giving him worship and making a request of him.