Matthew 20
AEKMatthew 20:21-21
20 James and John were the sons of Zebedee (Mar_:10:35). Our Lord called them “ sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), to indicate their tempestuous and violent disposition. The gentleness and love of John’s writings are not the reflection of his character, but of the restraint of the inspiring Spirit. They certainly were the most ambitious and selfish of all the apostles. The request of their mother shows how little fellowship they had with His downward path to the shame and humiliation of the cross. They could not comprehend that this was the only path to glory. Only those who drink His cup can share His honors. So He grants them the boon of a sip of His sorrow. James was the first to follow his Lord. Herod put him to death by the sword (Acts 12:1). But John seems to have lived longer.
21-23 See Matthew 19:28, Matthew 26:39-42; Luke 12:50; Acts 12:2.
24 It is evident from the resentment of the rest that they also coveted the highest place, even if they could not follow Him to the lowest. So He gives them a sorely needed lesson on the true path to greatness. It consists in service, servility, and suffering, the very opposite of the course they were accustomed to associate with human honors. His own example was their cue. Only those who suffer are qualified to reign. The greatness of His glories finds its source in His service as a slave, and the sorrows of His soul, of which He spoke to them in vain.
25 See Luke 22:24-27. 26 See Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; 1Pe_:5:3. 27 See Matthew 18:4. 28 See John 13:4; John 11:51-52; John 14:5; Philippians 2:5-7; Isaiah 53:10-12 29-31 Compare Mark 10:46-48; Luke 18:35-39. See Matthew 9:27-31. 32-34 Compare Mark 10:49-52; Luke 18:40-43. 29 The restoration of two blind men was in itself a marvelous manifestation of His messiahship, but we must not miss the deeper current of thought which lies beneath. He was going out of Jericho, the city of the curse. Does this not speak of His resurrection, the exit from the curse of the cross? Two is the number of testimony. He sent the seventy-two in pairs. He was accompanied on His journey by His apostles, who were to testify concerning Him, but they were blind! They could not see the great central sight of all testimony, the cross of Christ. Hence they could not follow Him in spirit, though they accompanied Him in flesh. When shall their blindness be moved? When He emerges from the curse. And so it was. Not till then did He open up their mind to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
1-9 Compare Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44.
1 The animals on which our Lord was supported on His presentation to Israel were representative of the ransomed. The firstlings had to be ransomed with a lamb (Exodus 13:13). Thus the whole scene was a typical picture of spiritual truth. The ransomed had been bound, but He has them loosed and brought to own His sovereignty. Only on this occasion does He exercise His prerogative as King and commandeer a mount for His royal entry. He will come some day on a white horse (Revelation 19:11), in might and majesty, and enforce His claims with a gory sword. But not so now. Only the lowly beasts of burden bear Him. Only His own support Him.
They offer Him the humble honors and lowly loyalty of their station. Their garments pave His path. Their leafy offerings carpet the royal roadway. Their acclamations proclaim Him King. But what a feeble few they are! The citizens of His capital do not even recognize their Sovereign!
They ask “ Who is this?” And the best answer they could get was “ This is the prophet.” They should have said “ This is Christ, the King, the Son of God !” This is the day which Daniel predicted. Sixty-nine heptads had passed by, and the scribes, at least, should have known that Prince Messiah would present Himself to the people on that day (Daniel 9:25). But they did not expect Him or prepare for Him, so He leaves them until sore affliction shall have taught the nation to say “ Blessed is He Who is coming in the name of the Lord.” This is the secret of Israel’s present plight. Through discipline they are being prepared for their Messiah. Their sorest trials are yet to come.
4-5 Compare John 12:12-19. 5 See Zechariah 9:9. 8 See Leviticus 23:40. 9 Compare Psalms 118:25-26. 10 Compare Mark 11:11. 12-17 Compare Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48. See John 2:13-17.