Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
Here is human vanity laid bare: genuine zeal for Christ mixed immediately with ambition and fleshly desire. Even these two excellent disciples, once sincere, let wicked ambition corrupt them the moment they hear His kingdom is near. If this befalls such men, how careful must we be, especially when honor presents itself plausibly, lest desire of worldly rank poison our piety.
AI summary
They wanted the highest posts of honor and power in what they imagined as a temporal kingdom surpassing all earthly realms in splendor and pomp. To sit at Christ's right and left hand meant to be nearest His person, chief ministers, with the greatest share of worldly honor, riches, and authority after Him alone.
AI summary
This was likely Salome, an ambitious woman eager to see her sons honored. James and John made the request through her as their mouth, probably too ashamed to ask it themselves. She knelt respectfully before Him, but the heart's desire beneath that courtesy was rank and preferment in what they believed would be His glorious earthly kingdom.
AI summary