Matthew

Matthew 20:20–27

²⁰Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.

²¹“What do you want?” He inquired.

She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”

²²“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”^g

“We can,” the brothers answered.

²³“You will indeed drink My cup,”^h Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

²⁴When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. ²⁶It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave —

Footnotes

g 20:22 BYZ includes or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. TR is similar.
h 20:23 BYZ and TR include and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

Read all of Matthew 20

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Matthew 20:20

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then	Τότε	Tote	Adverb	G5119 then
the	ἡ	hē	Article - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
mother	μήτηρ	mētēr	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3384 a mother
of Zebedee’s	Ζεβεδαίου	Zebedaiou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2199 Zebedee
sons	υἱῶν	huiōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G5207 a son, descendent
came	προσῆλθεν	prosēlthen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4334 I come near, consent to
to	αὐτῷ	autō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
with	μετὰ	meta	Preposition	G3326 with, after
her	αὐτῆς	autēs	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
sons	υἱῶν	huiōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G5207 a son, descendent
knelt down	προσκυνοῦσα	proskynousa	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular	G4352 I worship
to make a request	αἰτοῦσά	aitousa	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular	G154 I ask, request, beg, petition
of	ἀπ’	ap’	Preposition	G575 from, away from
Him	αὐτοῦ	autou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same

Matthew 20:21

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
What	Τί	Ti	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G5101 who, which, what
do you want	θέλεις	theleis	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular	G2309 I will, wish, desire
He inquired	εἶπεν	eipen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2036 to speak or say (by word or writing)
She answered	Λέγει	Legei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3004 I say, speak
Declare	Εἰπὲ	Eipe	Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular	G2036 to speak or say (by word or writing)
that	ἵνα	hina	Conjunction	G2443 in order that, so that
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
Your	σου	sou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular	G4771 you
kingdom	βασιλείᾳ	basileia	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G932 kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, kingdom
one	εἷς	heis	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1520 one
of these	οὗτοι	houtoi	Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3778 this, he, she, it
two	δύο	dyo	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G1417 two
sons	υἱοί	huioi	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G5207 a son, descendent
of mine	μου	mou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
may sit	καθίσωσιν	kathisōsin	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2523 I set, make to sit
at	ἐκ	ek	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
Your	σου	sou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular	G4771 you
right hand	δεξιῶν	dexiōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G1188 on the right hand, right hand, right
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
at	ἐξ	ex	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
Your	σου	sou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular	G4771 you
left	εὐωνύμων	euōnymōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G2176 on the left-hand side, left

Matthew 20:22

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
You do not know	οἴδατε	oidate	Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G1492 I know, remember
what	τί	ti	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G5101 who, which, what
you are asking	αἰτεῖσθε	aiteisthe	Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural	G154 I ask, request, beg, petition
Jesus	Ἰησοῦς	Iēsous	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2424 Jesus
replied	Ἀποκριθεὶς	Apokritheis	Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular	G611 I answer, reply
Can you	δύνασθε	dynasthe	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural	G1410 I am powerful, am able
drink	πιεῖν	piein	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G4095 I drink, imbibe
the	τὸ	to	Article - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
cup	ποτήριον	potērion	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4221 a drinking cup
I	ἐγὼ	egō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
am going	μέλλω	mellō	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G3195 I am about to
to drink	πίνειν	pinein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G4095 I drink, imbibe
We can	Δυνάμεθα	Dynametha	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural	G1410 I am powerful, am able
answered	Λέγουσιν	Legousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G3004 I say, speak

Matthew 20:23

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
You will indeed drink	πίεσθε	piesthe	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural	G4095 I drink, imbibe
My	μου	mou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
cup	ποτήριόν	potērion	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G4221 a drinking cup
said	Λέγει	Legei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3004 I say, speak
But	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
to sit	καθίσαι	kathisai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G2523 I set, make to sit
at	ἐκ	ek	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
My	μου	mou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
right	δεξιῶν	dexiōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G1188 on the right hand, right hand, right
left	εὐωνύμων	euōnymōn	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural	G2176 on the left-hand side, left
is	ἔστιν	estin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
not	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
Mine	ἐμὸν	emon	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Neuter 1st Person Singular	G1699 mine
to grant	δοῦναι	dounai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G1325 I offer, give
to those for whom	οἷς	hois	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural	G3739 who, which, what, that
My	μου	mou	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
Father	Πατρός	Patros	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3962 father, Father, ancestor
has prepared them	ἡτοίμασται	hētoimastai	Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G2090 I make ready, prepare

Matthew 20:24

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
When	Καὶ	Kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
the	οἱ	hoi	Article - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
ten	δέκα	deka	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G1176 ten
heard about	ἀκούσαντες	akousantes	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G191 I hear, listen
they were indignant	ἠγανάκτησαν	ēganaktēsan	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G23 I am angry, am incensed
with	περὶ	peri	Preposition	G4012 about, concerning, around
the	τῶν	tōn	Article - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3588 the
two	δύο	dyo	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G1417 two
brothers	ἀδελφῶν	adelphōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G80 a brother

Matthew 20:25

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
Jesus	Ἰησοῦς	Iēsous	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2424 Jesus
called them aside	προσκαλεσάμενος	proskalesamenos	Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4341 I summon
said	εἶπεν	eipen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2036 to speak or say (by word or writing)
You know	Οἴδατε	Oidate	Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G1492 I know, remember
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
the	οἱ	hoi	Article - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
rulers	ἄρχοντες	archontes	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G758 a ruler, prince, leader
of the	τῶν	tōn	Article - Genitive Neuter Plural	G3588 the
Gentiles	ἐθνῶν	ethnōn	Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural	G1484 a race, people, the Gentiles
lord it over	κατακυριεύουσιν	katakyrieuousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2634 I exercise authority over, overpower
them	αὐτῶν	autōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
superiors	μεγάλοι	megaloi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3173 large, great
exercise authority over	κατεξουσιάζουσιν	katexousiazousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2715 I have power over
them	αὐτῶν	autōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same

Matthew 20:26

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
It shall not be	ἔσται	estai	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
this way	οὕτως	houtōs	Adverb	G3779 thus, so, in this manner
among	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
Instead	ἀλλ’	all’	Conjunction	G235 but, except
whoever	ὃς	hos	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
wants	θέλῃ	thelē	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2309 I will, wish, desire
to become	γενέσθαι	genesthai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle	G1096 I come into being, am born
great	μέγας	megas	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3173 large, great
among	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
must be	ἔσται	estai	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
servant	διάκονος	diakonos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1249 a waiter, servant, administrator

Matthew 20:27

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
whoever	ὃς	hos	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
wants	θέλῃ	thelē	Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2309 I will, wish, desire
to be	εἶναι	einai	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G1510 I am, exist
first	πρῶτος	prōtos	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4413 first, before
among	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
must be	ἔσται	estai	Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
slave	δοῦλος	doulos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1401 a male slave