Matthew 20:24 kjv
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Matthew 20:24 nkjv
And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.
Matthew 20:24 niv
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Matthew 20:24 esv
And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
Matthew 20:24 nlt
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.
Matthew 20 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 18:1-4 | At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest... unless you turn and become like children..." | Humility required for greatness in kingdom |
| Mt 20:20-23 | Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, ... asking Him to grant that these two sons of hers might sit... | Immediate context: Request of James and John |
| Mt 20:25-28 | But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles... but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant..." | Jesus' teaching on true leadership/servanthood |
| Mk 9:33-35 | Then they came to Capernaum... he asked them, "What were you discussing... who was the greatest." | Disciples' frequent disputes about greatness |
| Mk 10:41 | Hearing this, the ten became indignant with James and John. | Parallel passage in Mark |
| Mk 10:42-45 | Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized... but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant..." | Jesus' teaching on true leadership/servanthood (parallel) |
| Lk 9:46-48 | An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest... "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me..." | Disciples' recurring debate about greatness |
| Lk 22:24-27 | An argument also started among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest... "Let the greatest among you become as the youngest..." | Disciples arguing over preeminence, last supper |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests... | Against selfish ambition and conceit |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. | Command to humility |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Warning against pride |
| Prov 27:4 | Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy? | Indignation rooted in jealousy |
| Jas 4:1-2 | What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is it not the cravings that are at war within your members? You crave and do not have... | Roots of conflict and covetousness |
| Gal 5:26 | Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. | Warning against provoking and envying |
| Rom 12:16 | Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. | Admonition against haughtiness |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | Now I urge you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. | Call for unity and against division |
| Num 16:3 | They gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy..." | Korah's rebellion due to seeking preeminence |
| 3 Jn 9 | I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. | Diotrephes example of wanting preeminence |
| Rom 13:13 | Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. | Warning against strife and jealousy |
| Eph 4:31 | Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. | Call to remove anger and malice |
Matthew 20 verses
Matthew 20 24 Meaning
Matthew 20:24 depicts the internal dynamics among Jesus' disciples, specifically their human frailties and worldly understanding of the coming kingdom. Following James and John's ambitious request for prominent positions in Jesus' kingdom, the other ten disciples react with indignation. This verse reveals a widespread desire for status and power within the group, highlighting their incomplete comprehension of Jesus' teachings on humility and suffering servanthood. It sets the stage for Jesus' corrective instruction on the nature of leadership in His kingdom, which contrasts sharply with the world's model.
Matthew 20 24 Context
This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' third passion prediction, where He detailed His impending betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem (Mt 20:17-19). Despite this sobering prophecy, the mother of James and John (sons of Zebedee), with her sons, approached Jesus, requesting that her sons sit at His right and left in His kingdom (Mt 20:20-23). This request demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, interpreting His "kingdom" in a worldly, political sense rather than a spiritual one rooted in sacrifice. The indignation of the other ten disciples in verse 24 highlights that this worldly ambition was not isolated to just James and John, but was a widespread struggle among the apostles, setting the stage for Jesus to definitively teach them about the nature of true greatness and servant leadership in His kingdom (Mt 20:25-28).
Matthew 20 24 Word analysis
- And when the ten: This phrase highlights the remaining majority of the apostolic group. The focus shifts to their collective reaction, underscoring the universal nature of the struggle for prominence among Jesus' disciples. It signifies a fracture within the close-knit twelve.
- heard it: The Greek word is akousantes (ἀκούσαντες), meaning "having heard" or "upon hearing." It indicates that the information of James and John's ambitious request was conveyed and fully comprehended by them, leading directly to their reaction. This hearing was not just passive; it implied their full grasp of the implied rivalry for status.
- they were indignant: The Greek term is ēganaktēsan (ἠγανάκτησαν), a strong verb derived from aganakteō. It means to be much grieved, displeased, or indignant, often implying strong annoyance, resentment, or anger. This indignation likely stemmed from jealousy or envy, as they perceived James and John attempting to gain an advantage over them in what they believed would be a kingdom of power and prestige, a position they coveted for themselves. This word is also used to describe the chief priests and scribes' reaction to the children praising Jesus in the temple (Mt 21:15), indicating a deep displeasure.
- at the two brothers: This specifies James and John, who, along with Peter, often formed an inner circle around Jesus. Their perceived closeness might have made their audacious request particularly galling to the other ten, who may have felt overlooked or outmaneuvered. It underscores the personal nature of the conflict among Jesus' closest followers.
- the ten heard it, they were indignant: This sequence illustrates the immediate cause and effect of spiritual immaturity. The information ignited human pride and ambition already present within the disciples, leading to a visible display of contention. Their reaction was not out of spiritual principle or zeal for God's true kingdom values, but rather out of a personal offense driven by their own desires for superiority. This foreshadows continued struggles with self-interest within the early Christian community, highlighting the ongoing need for conversion and humility.
Matthew 20 24 Bonus section
The indignation of the ten disciples confirms that the ambition displayed by James and John was a general temptation among all the apostles. This was not an isolated incident for James and John, but a common struggle they all faced in understanding and embracing the upside-down values of the Kingdom of Heaven. It serves as a stark reminder that even those closest to Jesus needed consistent and repetitive instruction on the true nature of His mission and the kind of leadership it demanded. The spiritual journey often involves purging ingrained worldly aspirations in favor of God's ways.
Matthew 20 24 Commentary
Matthew 20:24 is a poignant portrayal of the deep-seated human desire for status and recognition, even within the context of following Christ. The disciples, despite witnessing Jesus' power and hearing His teachings, including those about humility and suffering, still clung to worldly notions of greatness. Their indignation was not a virtuous rejection of pride on behalf of Christ's kingdom; rather, it was the envy of competitors feeling slighted and outmaneuvered in the quest for the same worldly ambition. This incident, therefore, serves as a vital teaching moment for Jesus, allowing Him to sharply contrast the world's power structures with the counter-cultural, servanthood-centric model of leadership required in God's kingdom. It underscores the pervasive challenge of surrendering personal ambition to embrace the path of humility and selfless service, a struggle inherent in human nature and addressed repeatedly throughout the New Testament.
- Example: When believers seek positions of authority or recognition primarily for personal prestige rather than humble service, this mirrors the disciples' misplaced ambition.
- Example: Conflicts or rivalries within Christian communities over leadership roles, programs, or influence reflect the same indignation born from competitive pride seen in this verse.