5. Ambition . . .

20:20-28

Request of Zebedee sons

20:20-28 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons. She knelt before him asking for something. He said to her “What do you want?”´ She says to him “Say that these two sons of mine may sit one on the right and the other on left of you in your kingdom.” Answering her Jesus said “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup which I am about to drink?” They say “We can” He says to them “Indeed you will drink my cup, but to sit on the right and the left of me is not mine to give to you. These places will be for whoever my Father has

prepared them.” On hearing about this the ten other disciples were incensed with the two brothers. So Jesus called them forward and said. “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great ones have authority over them. It is not like this amongst you. Whoever amongst you wishes to become great will be your servant. Whoever amongst you wishes to be first shall be your slave. The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Note: 2nd half explains 1st half)

It is interesting to consider that the sons of Zebedee are James and John and tradition has it that this John is the beloved disciple and writer of John’s gospel. But does this behaviour on the part of John match tradition? Also according to Acts James was killed soon after Jesus. But tradition has it that John the beloved disciple lived to a great age and this is also implied at the end of John’s gospel. The text here suggests that not only James but also John his brother dies early.

6. Controls. . . .

20:29-34

2 blind men rebuked by crowd

20:29-34 As they were going out from Jericho a great crowd followed. Behold there were two blind men sitting beside the road. On hearing that Jesus was passing by they cried out saying “Lord, Son of David, pity us.” But the crowd rebuked them telling them they should be silent. But they cried out all the more saying “Lord,

Son of David, pity us.” Standing still Jesus called them and said “What do you want me to do for you?” ´They say to him Lord open our eyes.” Being filled with compassion Jesus touched their eyes and immediately they saw again and they followed him.

7 Vestiges of greatness. . . .

21:1-11

disciples with ass-garments strewn

21:1-11 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two of his disciples. He said to them “Go into the village opposite and at once you will find an ass tied up and a colt with her.

Loosening the ass bring her to me. If anyone their own garments and threw them on the ground before him. Others cut branches form the trees and strew them along the way. There were Continued over

Continued A very large crowd took off their own garments and threw them on the ground before him. Others cut branches form the trees and strew them along the way. There were crowds going in front of him and others following behind. They cried out saying “Hosanna to the Son of David

Blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” And entering into Jerusalem all the city was taken with it saying “Who is this?” The crowds said “This is the prophet, Jesus the one from Nazareth of Galilee.”

8. Money from religion. . . .

21:12-17

Money lenders

21:12-17 (When) Jesus went into the temple and threw out all the people who were selling and buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money-changes and the seats of those who were selling the doves. He says to them. “It has been written ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it into a den of robbers.” 14-17 The blind and the lame in the temple approached him and he healed them. But the

chief priests and the scribes on seeing the marvels he did and hearing the children cry out in the temple and saying “Hosanna to the son of David” were incensed. They said to him. Do you hear what these are saying. Jesus said to them “Yes. Did you never read “Out of the mouth of infants and small children you have brought praise?” And leaving them he went forth outside the city to Bethany, and lodged there. (Note: 2nd part explains 1st part)

Strictly speaking the second part of the above paragraph may be able to stand on its own. However it is in the same context of confrontation with the Temple rulers. Note that at Bethany Lazarus lived with his two sisters Mary and Martha. The writer John tells us that it was Mary who was the 'ointment woman'. There appears to be a 'story behind the story'. John also says they were the dear friends of Jesus. Also note how they appear to be associated with 'the child' that Jesus puts forward as the Christian 'type'.

9 False appearances. . . .

21:18-22

...Curse of fig tree

21:18-22 Now early in the morning on going up to the city he was hungry. Seeing a fig-tree along the way he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he says to it. “May you never bear fruit again.” The fig-tree was instantly dried up. On seeing this the disciples marvelled saying “Did you see how the fig-tree was instantly withered?”

Answering Jesus said “Truly I say to you if you have faith and do not doubt not only will you be able to do this sort of thing to a fig-tree, but also if you say to this mountain ‘Be taken and cast into the sea,’ it shall be so. And all things whatsoever you may ask for in prayer, on believing this you will receive it.”