Matthew 20:17-34*
Key Verse – Matthew 20:28
Introduction
Jesus and his company were on the last leg of their trip to Jerusalem. When they got there, he would be inaugurated and welcomed as the King of Jews. So there were very high hopes among many of his followers for a new kingdom and new king to be established.
Also, this marked the ending of the 2nd semester of Jesus’ ministry. This thematic period spanned from the time of Peter’s confession until Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and had two focuses: the question of who would fit into the kingdom of God and how his disciples could better understand and accept his suffering, death, and resurrection as the way of truth in the kingdom.
To this purpose, Jesus made various efforts to help them not only understand this as God’s way but also to accept this as the way for them to gain eternal life. In the midst of these efforts, he repeated the theme of his suffering three times.
So Jesus’ suffering and death not only presented the key to understanding who fit into the kingdom of God, but also served as the key to knowing the way to enter it. Also, these two are tightly woven into one main theme: the greater among them must be the servant or slave of all. Jesus was the prime revealer and initiator of this truth by giving his life as a ransom for many.
However, to the disciples, his suffering and death were unacceptable for the Son of God or the Son of David. To them, it was incomprehensive, unreasonable, and unacceptable. Particularly, this was because Jesus is the Son of God and they believed that he was going to be the king of Israel. So there are two irreconcilable ideas: Jesus who was to die as a condemned man, and Jesus who was to be the king of the Jews.
How can one accept Jesus’ death as the key to enter into God’s glory? Actually, to all human beings, eternal life hinges on how they understand ‘Jesus’ suffering and death’.
There are three concepts that are addressed in today’s passages. First, suffering and death must be part of our entering into the glory of the kingdom of God. John and James had a clear hope of being with Christ in this glory; this is much different from how the rest of the disciples in the sense that these two ‘saw’ beyond Jesus’ suffering and death. Their eyes were fixed instead on his coming glory. Second, despite their foresight of his coming glory with clear faith and conviction, they were just as blind as the rest in seeing the truth about his suffering and death in and of themselves. Thirdly, there was the healing of two blind men. In the process of healing their blindness, Jesus expressed his will to restore the sight of his spiritually blind disciples. The disciples’ blindness was far more serious because this blindness would hinder them from entering the kingdom of God. In order to heal their ‘spiritual’ blindness, Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross [Luke 24:32]. Simply speaking, only through this redeeming sacrifice was Jesus open the eyes of those blinded by their sins. Jesus said this to them:
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28).
A. The Son of Man will be betrayed, condemned, mocked and crucified, and then be raised to life [Matthew 20:17-19].
Read v17. Jesus and his disciples were going up to Jerusalem. Now, they were very near to the city, as we noted, when they met a blind man in Jericho. At this time, Jesus took his disciples aside to talk to them specifically about what would happen in Jerusalem; they needed to know, understand, and accept what he was saying. What was Jesus revealing particularly to his disciples?
Read v18-19. Jesus was teaching them about his suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus said this soon after Peter confessed that he was the Son of God, the Messiah [Ch. 17, 19]. Here, he was making this confession once again as they were nearing Jerusalem. Peter’s revelation in today’s passage is far more specific and revealing than it was before. As we note the specifics of his declaration, we can find the following:
i. The chief priests and teachers of the law were the ones who would condemn Jesus.
ii. Their verdict would be death.
iii. Gentiles would carry out his death by crucifixion.
iv. Jesus would be raised to life on the third day.
Being condemned by the religious leaders was very serious. Death was an unthinkable thing, and death by crucifixion was horrific. Yet, Jesus would go through this and then be raised to life. All these events make us think of these things: the Law, judgment, suffering, death, resurrection, and God.
As we look at what Jesus said, today’s announcement is more specific. It is characterized by ‘condemnation’ and death by crucifixion, and is depicted by sin and its consequences.
As we review Peter’s previous two announcements, we can find the following:
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:21).
Here, the emphasis is on the necessity of his suffering and death. It is not said why such suffering and death was required. The important thing is that Jesus had to go through this suffering and death as part of the process to bring men into God’s glory, i.e. through his resurrection.
“When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.” (Matthew 17:22-23).
In this second announcement, Jesus’ suffering and death would be by the hands of men. The emphasis is on the fact that ‘men’ will do this. Men would kill the Son of Man!
In today’s passage, Matthew emphasizes the fact that death is caused by ‘sin and its condemnation’. Simply speaking, Jesus’ death had to do with sin and its payment. It is interesting that Matthew did not mention the Pharisees or Sadducees as the source of such condemnation, but rather the high priests and teachers of the Law; this seems to indicate that it was the law and those who were in charge of it that condemned Jesus.
Did they not know this? Yes they did, but why was Jesus repeating this in such a detailed manner?
1. The disciples must be prepared to handle Jesus’ death by faith. It would not be an ordinary death, like that of a man due to age or sickness. It would be imposed upon him by the religious leaders’ condemnation. Jesus was their master and Lord. He was also the Son of God in their minds. His death must be understood correctly and they must be prepared so that they may be able to persevere through his death and remain true to God’s perspective in faith.
2. The disciples needed to know and accept that his death by condemnation was inescapable and that this was the only way for them to gain eternal life and glory.
3. The resurrection was the ending point. Jesus would die and be resurrected on the third day in glory.
All these events would happen in Jerusalem, only a week after Jesus’ entrance into the city.
When the topic of ‘death’ comes up in our discussions, what comes to our minds? What is death to my understanding? All by myself in my own closet, I delved into this ‘problem’ of death and considered what my final assessment and conclusion about death was. Since Jesus, the most powerful, holy, loving, and truthful Son of God, said that he was going to suffer and die on the cross, his disciples had to think seriously about death. It was not just a simple death; surrounding his death, there was the judgment of the religious leaders, is the practice of crucifixion, which was the most horrific form of death, and then to the miracle of resurrection. What are we to make of this? Here, three things are woven together into one: Judgment/condemnation, crucifixion/death, and resurrection; Christ’s death had to have all of these essential parts in order to provide men with a means of entering God’s glory and power. It was the way of cross!
What does it mean that Jesus, the Son of God, had to go through so much suffering caused by men’s condemnation? What other king had to go through such suffering? Did the disciples understand this? How did they react this?
B. Whoever wants to be first must be your slave [Matthew 20:20-28]
Read v 20-21.
“Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "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." (Matthew 20:20-21).
Zebedee’s two sons and their mother came and knelt down before Jesus, asking a very serious request. Through their words and actions, it is quite clear that they were very sincere. The mother wanted her two sons to be seated, one on each side of Jesus when he established his kingdom. This was quite a surprise in a few different ways.
First, they had seen and fixed their eyes on the kingdom coming through Jesus’ glory. In their minds, Jesus’ suffering and death would not be as bad as the others were thinking. Most of the disciples, including Peter, were very much troubled by the fact that their Lord Jesus was going to die. But it is unlikely that John and James saw the coming glory of his kingdom clearly. If the end result will be good, then whatever happens now may not matter a great deal. John, James, and their mother saw this and were determined to get the most powerful position in this glorious kingdom.
Second, it is more than possible that they underestimated or even did not understand the extent of Jesus’ suffering and death, as well as its impact on their lives. In this regard, Jesus asked them a question (vv. 22-23):
"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, 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." (Matthew 20:22-23).
Jesus said that they did not know what they were asking. What did he mean by this? They knew more than anyone else that he was going to be the king. When he established the kingdom, he would have the utmost power and authority. They knew this with firm conviction and certainty. Then why did Jesus say that they did not know what they were asking? In v 23b, he asked them a question: can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? Here, it is obvious that he was talking about his coming suffering and death. In other words, positions of such supreme power and glory are closely attached to the condemnation, suffering, and death that he was going to go through. No suffering and no death means no glory and power. Jesus attained and earned his glory! This glory was achieved through way of suffering and death.
This is well pictured in Philippians 2.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,” (Philippians 2:6-9).
Obedience, even to the point of death, was the reason that God gave Jesus the highest authority and power. Glory and power cannot be attained without Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. If Jesus was to take such a position of glory by such suffering, so must John and James! Can you drink the cup? The cup Jesus drank would make them worthy of such a position of power and glory!
What was their response? “We can!” This is an amazing response; they were determined to go through suffering, and even death, so as to participate in Jesus’ glory. Death is the breaking point of our lives and the most dreadful event we all must face. We all hate to go through any sufferings, because it might be a prelude of death’s coming. However, these two brothers dared to go through any pain and suffering, because they were so sure of Christ’s coming glory!
“Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, 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." (Matthew 20:23).
They could and would drink from Jesus’ cup. The suffering and death of these two disciples would be the outflow of Jesus’ cup. They were able to go through suffering and death, only because of Jesus’ suffering and death. This suffering would be in the same form, reason, and purpose as Jesus’. His suffering empowers, emboldens, and energizes us, so that we may be able to go through the suffering and death that leads us to the glory of His kingdom. So knowing and accepting Jesus’ suffering and death are of paramount importance for anyone who desires to attain the glory of God’s kingdom.
“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." (Matthew 20:23b).
Jesus distributes salvation at his discretion. He gives out his blessing and redemption, but it is God the Father who gives out the particular honor and glory found in His kingdom.
As the rest of the disciple were listening this, it seemed that John and James had almost secured positions in God’s kingdom. They would drink the cup and God may even be willing to give them the very highest positions! While the rest remained in fear and uncertainty because of Jesus’ coming death, Jesus had already assured and even confirmed these two that they would go through the suffering and death and reach his glory!
What did the rest of Jesus’ disciples think about this?
“When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.” (Matthew 20:24).
They were upset and angry. They thought that they were as good as these two, but that, in their selfishness, they were moving ahead of them. When I was in elementary school, we called a couple of students “teacher’s pet”. Our teacher seemed to love them over others, giving them preferential treatment in everything he did. We all wanted to be treated specially and preferentially. Likewise, we all want to enter into Jesus’ glory.
Though John and James saw Christ’s coming glory more than the others, they were just as wrong as the rest of them. This was again from a lack of understanding Jesus’ suffering and death. We think of suffering and pain as the path to glory. This is true, as we know well through those who have suffered a great deal and then succeeded to a position of power and glory. Accept suffering and pain, work hard, and then you will attain glory! This principle is at work in this world! Is this what Jesus was teaching here? Not at all! This is a mistaken and misconstrued idea of success and glory! Then what did the disciples fail to understand about Jesus’ suffering and death?
Read vv. 25-27.
“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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matthew 20:25-27).
Like any other people of the world, the disciples also wanted to have positions of authority and power in order to exercise that power over others. This made them feel superior and great, and they would even dare to go through much suffering!
One female student was very obsessed with her academic achievements. When she became the first in her class, she felt that she had conquered all of her classmates. She even judged her friends, according to their academic achievements. If one was barely crawling at the bottom of the class, then she treated her like her slave. If one was doing almost as well as she was, then she treated her as her immediate subjects. In this way, she behaved like the queen of the class.
Such is the rule, or commanding principle, of this world. It is in our classes, friendships, work places, and governments. This is the way we are treated in our homes and has become our flesh and bones. However, Jesus says something totally different here:
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
The world in which we are living operates by such principles as selfishness and ruthless ambition, but such thinking or rules must not be in and among Jesus’ disciples. Among those who are going to participate in God’s kingdom, a new rule and principle must be honored and lived out - that the great must be the servant of all. Servant-ship is what makes one great. We are not great because we have authority over others, but because we have the will and commitment to serve others.
This is the principle of the kingdom of God. How is that principle revealed to us?
Read v 28.
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28).
As we discussed earlier, suffering and death are closely related to glory. These are not just the pathway to our glory, but also the cause of Jesus’ glory. If anyone wants to participate in this glory, then he must go through the same suffering and death! As we discussed, this means that we must work hard and persevere through suffering so that we may attain glory!
In an earlier review of these passages, we found that suffering is caused by sin and its consequences. Here, we also came to understand that Jesus’ suffering and death was to pay for sins that he did not commit. Suffering and death are seen as the way to establish this new and godly principle of being great. That is, to give one’s life as a ransom for many. Jesus came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. A new and great heavenly truth was embedded in his suffering and death. To serve and to give one’s life is the way to be great and honored. Jesus walked that path and, only by this walk, would the power of this truth be fully understood in and among his disciples.
We all want to be great, honored, and respected. We all want to exercise our authority and power over others and we love and enjoy doing so. However, all of these are deeply rooted in the sinfulness of our nature. We think that our lives will be secured if we have positions of authority and control. Even if we have control over others, that control never secures our lives. The security of our lives does not lie in what we have or control. It lies in God’s hand and how He thinks of me and His plans for my life.
The way of life is the way Jesus took. His way was to give his life, as a ransom to serve others. This was the pathway to the kingdom, glory, and life! Yet, to a sinful mindset, Jesus’ suffering and death can be seen from only one perspective - pain and the toils of life. This is the means to take away our lives; so also is how we view our own suffering and death. According to this perspective, any suffering and pain is not good and must be avoided by all means. Also, death must be avoided at all costs. When one sees from this perspective, all of his or her life will be geared towards avoiding pain and suffering. In order to avoid death, one will do many things.
But for us, whom God has called, we must change our perspective and follow the way to glory, the way of truth—to give and serve so as to impart life to others. Jesus walked in this truth and we are to know and implement this principle in our lives.
So Jesus said this:
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25).
What do you want? John and James dared to lose their lives in order to attain the glory of God’s kingdom. No matter what we do, we will lose our lives when we die. We all know this. However, instead of fighting death, we should dare to lose our lives, in order to serve and give. Such a life surely leads us to share in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.
This is revelatory, unheard of, and never thought of; it is a radical shift from all of the norms of this world. Life-giving sacrifice is the way to glory. This is how suffering connects with kingship.
Who can see this truth? None of the disciples saw this. This truth is hidden from the eyes of all who are living in sin’s darkness. To help with men’s blindness, what can Jesus do? We can rephrase this as “How can one see this as the truth for entering into the glory of the kingdom?” The answer to this question is given in the next story.
C. We want our sight [Matthew 20:29-33]
There were two blind men near Jericho. As they heard of Jesus’ coming, they shouted “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” This was disturbing to Jesus and the crowd, so many people told them to be quiet. However, they were not willing; instead, they shouted all the more loudly: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
They were determined to get Jesus’ attention, because they believed that he was the Son of David, the coming king of Israel.
Most likely, they had never seen Jesus; however, they had come to know about him by hearing from others. In this regard, it is very remarkable for the blind to have faith. Though they did not see, yet they believed. They believed that he was the Son of David and the Son of God; they also believed that he was able to open their eyes. They were about to enter Jerusalem. At this juncture, these two blind men called Jesus the Son of David. He was being honored as the coming king.
There were a few other occasions where Jesus opened eyes of the blind [Matthew 9:27; 11:5; 12:22; 15:30; 21:44]. From his healing of the blind, we can discern three teachings: this act served as the sign of the coming Messiah, displayed the power of the Son of God, and showed God’s mercy. Also, blindness is used extensively in Matthew 23 to represent spiritual blindness.
In the previous paragraph, Jesus told two disciples, John and James, you don’t know what you are asking! He was pointing out that their blindness was based in their lack of understanding and correct interpretation of his upcoming suffering and death! Here, after healing these two who clearly understood that he was the coming King, Jesus asked these men a question: what do you want me to do for you? It is somewhat absurd to ask blind men what they want, but in order to test their strong desire, Jesus asked this question. They wanted their sight!
For the blind men, seeing was the most important thing. For the children of God, seeing His truth and plan is most important. Jesus’ suffering and death was most difficult for them to understand and reason. The disciples were blind in their understanding of this. However, it is not just the disciples; for all men, it is impossible to see beyond death. What can or will Jesus do to help this?
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28).
Jesus is the only one who could open the eyes of the blind. He is also the only one who can open our eyes to see God’s provision in his suffering and death. Jesus had to suffer and die in order to open our eyes to see beyond suffering and death. In this way, Jesus opened the eyes of blind men. Even though Nicodemus he could see the truth, Jesus still said, unless he was born again, he could not see the kingdom of God.
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