Salome

Salome was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John. Some Bible scholars also believe she may have been the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus. She was a devoted wife and mother as well as a follower of Jesus. In fact, she was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and his disciples and helped provide financially for them.

We’re first introduced to her in Matthew 20 when Jesus is preparing His followers for what was to come in the days ahead. He told them when they got to Jerusalem He would be betrayed and condemned to death. They’d crucify Him, but on the third day He would rise again. 

Jesus paused, and in that break, Salome grabbed her sons, knelt down at His feet, and asked for a favor.

“What do you want?” He asked. (Matthew 20:21a)

“Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (v. 21b)

Jesus turned to the sons and told them that they didn’t know what they were asking for.

“Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”  (v. 22)

They said they could. 

Jesus told them they would indeed drink His cup and be baptized with the baptism that He was baptized with, but it wasn’t His place to decide who would sit next to Him in Heaven. 

Salome thought she was asking for something good for her sons. She had no idea what she was asking for or what was in store for them. 

Read about Salome: Matthew 20:20-28

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