Matthew 20:20-28

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?”She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

mother - Mark 10:35 makes it clear that it was really James and John who were asking. They just used their mother, probably to gain sympathy.

sons - James and John (Matt 4:21)

The disciples believed He was the Messiah who would reign. They had faith. But they didn’t understand that He would first have to suffer.

right hand - The position next to His throne. They’d been told they would sit on twelve thrones (Matt 19:28)

cup - His suffering and death

You will drink my cup - James was beheaded (Acts 12:2) and John was exiled to Patmos (Rev 1:9)

it is for those - These words were added by the translators. He wasn’t saying that He couldn’t give the positions, but that He could only give them to those for whom it was prepared.

life (v 28) = soul

Christ was contrasting the measure of greatness in earthly kingdoms with that in His kingdom. Among Gentiles, the rulers are considered greater than others. In His kingdom, it is the servants who are considered great. Of course, in a kingdom where all seek to serve, this will look far different than our idea of menial service.

"Christ said it was characteristic of Gentiles to promote themselves and put themselves in positions of authority over other people. The Twelve were acting just like the hard-hearted Gentiles. To correct this attitude Christ taught that if one would be great, he must attain that greatness by becoming a servant to those over whom he would rule. The on who wanted to be in a position of prominence must gain it by becoming a slave. He Himself was an example of that teaching, for although the Son of Man was destined by God to rule over the earth in the millennial kingdom, God’s Son came into the world as a Servant, not as a Master. As a Servant obedient tot he will of His Father, He would give His life a ransom for many." (Pentecost)

ransom for many - "The word 'for' undebatably means 'in the place of.'  Christ here clearly interprets the meaning of His sacrifice as a substitution for sinners." (Ryrie)