In getting their mother to ask Jesus on their behalf for ‘top jobs’ in his kingdom, James and John get it wrong in all sorts of ways: immaturely getting their mother to ask for them, getting wrong the nature of Christ's kingdom and what greatness is in his kingdom, seeing success in merely human terms, and more. The whole episode reveals a catalogue of errors. We also need to recognise the many ways we get it wrong. This self-knowledge is necessary for our spiritual growth.