Lesson 20 – The King’s Justice Challenged
Read Matthew 20 – www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.20.esv

In chapter 19 the religious leaders had challenged Jesus’ right to judge them, and He continues His answers to that challenge in this chapter by showing them His kingdom’s version of justice. Their idea of justice was “an eye for an eye” as we already saw in Matthew 5:38.

Jesus’ story of the vineyard laborers went far beyond the religious leaders’ idea of justice. They believed there should be greater rewards for some than for others, and since they believed themselves to be much better than the common man, they expected to be treated much better in God’s kingdom than anyone else would be. Jesus, however, stated that every person who entered His kingdom would receive the same reward – eternal life. There are no distinctions made in this eternal life for one person over another; everyone gets exactly the same eternal life.

When Jesus left the leaders, He again told His disciples the time of His death was approaching. On this occasion the challenge to His words came from within the ranks of His own followers. Almost certainly the question asked of Him in verse 21 came from His earlier statement in verse 16 about who would be first or last in His kingdom. James’ and John’s mother wanted her sons to hold positions of authority when Jesus became King. Her sons obviously thought they deserved it (verse 22). But please notice that Jesus didn’t say anything about the positions these two men asked for – rather, He told them they were asking for the wrong things. They were still thinking of a kingdom as they understood it in earthly terms. He redefined justice and greatness in terms of service rather than status.


To emphasize this, the last incident in this chapter clearly defines what were the right questions, the right attitudes, and the right approach to the Kingdom of God. Two men had asked for positions of power – now two men asked only for mercy. The first two men probably had a right to ask for the positions they wanted in Jesus’ kingdom – they had been part of the inner circle of Jesus’ followers from the beginning. Jesus never told them they couldn’t have the positions they wanted. He never called them arrogant or their request a sin. While everyone entering the kingdom will receive the same salvation, not everyone will receive the same rewards.

The second pair of men asked for mercy. When Jesus stopped, He asked a simple question of them – what do you want me to do for you? This was almost the same question from verse 21. The difference was that for the first two men, the desire was for followers to become powerful. From the last two men, the desire was for the powerless to become followers. Jesus granted the second request without hesitation.

*Thought question: Are you asking God to make you more powerful or important here in your earthly life, or are you desiring to become a closer follower of Him?