Greatness Is Serving(A)

20 (B)Then the mother of (C)Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine (D)may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink (E)the cup that I am about to drink, [a]and be baptized with (F)the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 So He said to them, (G)“You will indeed drink My cup, [b]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 is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

24 (H)And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet (I)it shall not be so among you; but (J)whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 (K)And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 (L)just as the (M)Son of Man did not come to be served, (N)but to serve, and (O)to give His life a ransom (P)for many.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 20:22 NU omits and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with
  2. Matthew 20:23 NU omits and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with

A Mother’s Request(A)

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons(B) came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down,(C) asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”(D)

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup(E) I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup,(F) but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant(G) with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,(H) 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man(I) did not come to be served, but to serve,(J) and to give his life as a ransom(K) for many.”

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(A)The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
(B)He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 (C)He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He (D)removed our transgressions from us.
13 (E)As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

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The Lord is compassionate and gracious,(A)
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;(B)
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve(C)
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love(D) for those who fear him;(E)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions(F) from us.

13 As a father has compassion(G) on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

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