MATTHEW 20

Jesus taught that greatness in God’s sight means humbly serving others as Jesus did.

20 Then the mother of James and John brought her two sons to Jesus. She bowed down before Jesus and asked him to do her a favor. 21 Jesus said to her, "What do you want me to do for you?" She said to him, "Permit these two sons of mine to sit next to you (OR, Permit these two sons of mine to sit next to you at your right side and at your left side) and rule with you [MTY] when you become king." 22 Jesus said to her and her sons, "You do not understand what you are asking for. Can you suffer like I am about to suffer [IDM]?" James and John answered him, "Yes, we are able to do that." 23 Then Jesus said to them, "Yes, you will suffer as I will suffer [IDM]. But I am not the one who chooses the ones who will sit next to me and rule with me. God, my Father, will give those places [MTY] to the ones whom he appoints."