James and John"s request seems almost incredible. They wanted Jesus to give them whatever they requested, carte blanche. When asked what that might be, they explained that they wanted the positions of highest honor in Jesus" messianic kingdom. The person who sat at a ruler"s right hand enjoyed the highest assigned position, and the person who sat at his left the second highest. [1] These brothers obviously believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and they thought He was going to establish His kingdom soon, probably when they reached Jerusalem. [source][source][source]
Matthew wrote that their mother, Salome, the sister of Jesus" mother, voiced their request for them ( Matthew 20:20). Mark put the words in their mouths because they came from their hearts even though Salome spoke them. Perhaps they thought their family connection with Jesus justified their request. James and John were Jesus" cousins (cf. Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). Frequently rulers appointed close family members to important government positions. [source][source][source]
"This narrative contains a bright mirror of human vanity; for it shows that proper and holy zeal is often accompanied by ambition.... They who are not satisfied with himself alone, but seek this or the other thing apart from him and his promises, wander egregiously from the right path." [1][source]