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Family Favouritism

Matthew 20:20-24

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour 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.' '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.' When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. (NIVUK)

Zebedee had two sons in his fishing business, James and John. But Jesus called the young men to follow Him (Matthew 4:21-22). Their mother may have been Salome (comparing the names of the women in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40), who was undoubtedly committed to Jesus – and later went to anoint His body in the tomb early on the first Easter Day. She was also committed to her two boys and wanted the very best for them. Perhaps presuming that she had a special relationship with Jesus, she asked Him to give James and John the top jobs in His government when He became 'king of Israel'.