NOTES for Mat 20:17-28
So Jesus speaks openly for the third time about His coming arrest, condemnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. The words about resurrection always sound like a kind of period, the end of a sentence. And the disciples' attention does not settle on them; they are absorbed in vexed amazement at such an incomprehensible fate for the Messiah. They do not want, and perhaps still cannot, accept what the Teacher is telling them. So it is no surprise that they understand the words about the twelve thrones as triumph in this earthly life, and in just this triumph they want to take the fullest possible part...
The mother of the sons of Zebedee comes to Jesus with a request. And what does He do? Though she has already said why she came, He asks her a question: "What do you want?" Jesus gives her the chance to stand face to face with Him and become aware of what is happening. To look inside herself, to look at His Face... How often we, like this woman, do not trouble ourselves with such a "waste" of time. And how amazing it is that the Lord does not always grant what we ask.