Jesus And The Sons Of Zebedee; Precedence Among The Disciples

Jesus’ Life: Chapter 12 – Jesus’ Ministry In Judea

In a mother’s heart, there resides a dream that her children will be blessed with everlasting love and happiness.

While on the road to Jerusalem, the mother of the Apostles James and John went to Jesus and made a very special request. In your Kingdom of Heaven, she said, “Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left”.

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. Then he said to the brothers, “Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” Having replied that they would, Jesus said, “You will drink my cup” but, sitting on my right or left is not for me to grant but my Father.

When the other ten disciples heard what had happened, they were angry with the brothers. So, Jesus called them together and said, do not be like the Gentiles and those in high positions, “whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

James and John remained loyal Apostles to Jesus but their “cup” was great. James was the first Apostle to be executed for preaching Jesus’ Gospel after his death. In contrast, John was the only Apostle not to be executed. He lived into old age, once escaping from being cast into boiling oil in Rome. He wrote the Gospel according to John and the New Testament book of Revelation. (Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45, Luke 22:24-27)