There are a host of things to talk about
in chapter 20. The first parable builds off the last chapter, that achievement under
the reign of God doesn’t count like it does in this fallen age. Those who work
only an hour receive the same gift as those who labor all day. That plays into
another theme that we have seen throughout Matthew, namely, the sense of privilege
that first-century Israel carried with them. They’re the laborers who went to
the field first and they expect more than agreed on wages.
Questions about the aims of the
kingdom occupy the middle part of the chapter with Jesus announcing His
impending suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time. That declaration
is paired with a mother’s request for greatness for her sons. An interesting
twist there is that the sons (James and John) were right there with her. They are
part of the Twelve and had heard Jesus predict His death and teach about the first
being last, but here they are, hiding behind their mom, seeking glory by the
world’s standards. The cup He is going to drink and the seats at His right and
His left are clear foreshadowings of the cross (see Matthew 26:39 and 27:38).The
disciples just can’t see that the victory of God will be won through what the
world considers abject loss.
The last bit of the chapter,
frankly, the last bit of the story of the Gospel before Jesus comes into Jerusalem
is a small story of healing. The important detail here is in verse 34: Jesus
had compassion on them. This is now the fourth time in the Gospel that Jesus motivation
has been His compassion (9:26, 14:14, and 15:32). As events turn in the next
chapter to Palm Sunday and Holy Week, what a great summary of who Jesus is: the
compassionate Son of God, who gives His life as a ransom for many!
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