Mt 20:20-28
Zebedee: Zebedee is the father of the apostles James and John. A fisherman by trade, Zebedee employs his two sons, who are also partners with Simon (Lk 5:10). The gospel information that he has “hired” servants and that his wife Salome contributes to Jesus’ support (Mt 27:55-56; Mk 15:40-41; see Lk 8:2-3) indicates that Zebedee is a man of means. While he does not himself become a disciple, Zebedee seems not to have hindered his wife and his sons from following Jesus.
Zebedee: Zebedee is the father of the apostles James and John. A fisherman by trade, Zebedee employs his two sons, who are also partners with Simon (Lk 5:10). The gospel information that he has “hired” servants and that his wife Salome contributes to Jesus’ support (Mt 27:55-56; Mk 15:40-41; see Lk 8:2-3) indicates that Zebedee is a man of means. While he does not himself become a disciple, Zebedee seems not to have hindered his wife and his sons from following Jesus.
Zebedee’s wife thinks Jesus will go to Jerusalem to claim his kingdom; she asks that her two sons be made his principal advisers. (In Mark, however, James and John themselves make the request; Matthew softens the boldness of the petition by making it come from their mother.) Jesus does not deny that he will have a kingdom, but he refers the assignment of places to the Father. He also makes it clear to the Twelve that to be great in his kingdom is not to seek the position at the expense of others. It means being first in serving the rest, even to the extent of laying down one’s life, just as Jesus gives his life for the salvation of mankind.