Mat 20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 20:1-16: 20:1-16 This parable is similar to the parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32 ). In both, God’s grace is shown to two parties while one grumbles about unjust treatment.

Summary for Matt 20:1-16: 20:1-16 ^a This parable is similar to the parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32 ^b). In both, God’s grace is shown to two parties while one grumbles about unjust treatment.
20:8 ^c Payment followed the day’s work (Deut 24:14-15 ^d).
20:16 ^e See Matt 5:19 ^f; 8:11-12 ^g.
Summary for Matt 20:20-28: 20:20-28 ^h Each prediction of Jesus’ suffering in Matthew is connected to instruction on the nature of discipleship in light of that suffering (see 16:24-28 ⁱ; 17:24–18:5 ^j). This teaching called the Messiah’s disciples to follow his example of service and sacrifice.
Summary for Matt 20:20-21: 20:20-21 ^k This mother’s question appears to have been inspired by her sons, since Jesus responded to the sons rather than to the mother (cp. Mark 10:35-37 ^l).
20:21 ^m The promise of sitting in positions of authority in God’s Kingdom had already been given (19:28 ⁿ); the brothers’ request seems to have been motivated out of selfish desire for prominence, with no regard for the suffering the Messiah would soon undergo (see Matt 23:6 ^o; Luke 14:7-11 ^p).
20:22 ^q The cup refers to Jesus’ duty, calling, and destiny (see 26:39 ^r; John 18:11 ^s; see also Ps 75:8 ^t; Isa 51:17 ^u, 22 ^v; Rev 16:19 ^w).
20:23 ^x You will indeed: James was eventually martyred (Acts 12:2 ^y), and John suffered significant persecution (Acts 4:3 ^z; 5:40 ^aa; Rev 1:9 ^ab).
20:24 ^ac The other disciples ... were indignant: Selfish ambition was apparently not unique to James and John (see also 21:15 ^ad; 26:8 ^ae; Luke 13:14 ^af).
Summary for Matt 20:25-28: 20:25-28 ^ag The desire for power is characteristic of pagan rulers in this world. It ought not to be a trait of those who follow the Son of Man (18:1-5 ^ah; 19:13-15 ^ai; 23:1-12 ^aj).
20:27 ^ak The word slave is a common metaphor for the submissive relationship of a disciple to his master (8:9 ^al; 10:24-25 ^am; 24:45-51 ^an; 25:14-30 ^ao). Jesus’ disciples serve others, following Jesus’ example (e.g., John 13:1-17 ^ap).
20:28 ^aq This expression, the Son of Man came, suggests Jesus’ preexistence (see Dan 7:13-14 ^ar).

• Jesus was describing his voluntary offering of himself as a ransom for many, to pay the debt all people owe (see Matt 26:26-29 ^as; Isa 53:10-12 ^at; Rom 3:24 ^au), thereby buying them out of slavery (see Gal 5:1 ^av).
Summary for Matt 20:29-34: 20:29-34 ^aw The blind men’s expression of faith in the Son of David was an acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah (see 21:9 ^ax; 22:42 ^ay; 2 Sam 7:12-16 ^az).