Matthew 20:24When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
The setting
The other ten disciples overhear the conversation between Jesus and James/John. Their anger reveals they wanted the same positions but didn't have the boldness to ask...
The emotion here: matter-of-fact recording of human jealousy
The original word
aganakteō (ἠγανάκτησαν) — deeply indignant, literally 'to feel grief that leads to anger'
Why it matters
All twelve disciples were competing for positions in what they thought would be an earthly kingdom
Read with care
What most readers miss in Matthew 20:24
Their anger proves they all wanted the same thing but were upset someone else asked first
Common misconceptionPeople think the ten were righteously angry at James and John's arrogance, but they were actually jealous that the brothers beat them to asking for the top spots.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Matthew 20:24
Bible Genome reading
Matthew 20:24 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Matthew 20:24 comes from the book of Matthew, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Matthew. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include jealousy, conflict. Notable phrases: were indignant; two brothers.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Matthew 20:24 mean to you, today?
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