See the notes at Matthew 20:20-28.

And James and Johncame unto him - They did this through the instrumentality of their mother. They did not come in "person," but they got their mother to make the request for them. Compare the notes at Matthew 20:20.

And James and John - come unto him - The request here mentioned, Matthew says, Matthew 20:20, was made by Salome their mother; the two places may be easily reconciled thus: - The mother introduced them, and made the request as if from herself; Jesus knowing whence it had come, immediately addressed himself to James and John, who were standing by; and the mother is no farther concerned in the business. See the note on Matthew 20:20.

(7) And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, (g) we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
(7) We must first strive before we triumph.
(g) We pray thee.

And James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto him,.... Along with their mother, who was their mouth, and spoke for them, and they by her:
saying, master, we would that thou shouldst do for us whatsoever we shall desire: that is, we earnestly desire, that whereas we have a favour to ask of thee, that thou wouldst not deny us it, be it what it will; See Gill on Matthew 20:20.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying--Matthew (Matthew 20:20) says their "mother came to Him with her sons, worshipping Him and desiring," &c. (Compare Matthew 27:56, with Mark 15:40). Salome was her name (Mark 16:1). We cannot be sure with which of the parties the movement originated; but as our Lord, even in Matthew's account, addresses Himself to James and John, taking no account of the mother, it is likely the mother was merely set on by them. The thought was doubtless suggested to her sons by the recent promise to the Twelve of "thrones to sit on, when the Son of man should sit on the throne of His glory" (Matthew 19:28); but after the reproof so lately given them (Mark 9:33, &c.) they get their mother to speak for them.
Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire--thus cautiously approaching the subject.

James and John come unto him. For notes on this ambitious request, see Matthew 20:20-28. We learn from Matthew that Salome, the mother, came and spoke for them.

Saying - By their mother. It was she, not they that uttered the words. Matthew 20:20.