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Matthew 20:23
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21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine amay sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”  
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink athe cup that I am about to drink,1 and be baptized with bthe baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”  
23 So He said to them, a“You will indeed drink My cup,1 and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”  
24 aAnd when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.  
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Matthew 20:23 Mean?



Matthew 20:20-28

Here, the disciples show they understood what Christ was doing, but they immediately let the idea of such awesome power go to their heads by vying for the very top positions. Christ explains that His disciples must use authority in a godly fashion, not for self-aggrandizement as the Gentiles had used it.

Staff
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Related Topics: Abuse of Authority | Authority | Competition | Competitive Spirit | Competitiveness | Gentile Leadership | Leadership | Leadership, God's Pattern of | Lording it over Others | Positions of Authority | Power Corrupts | Power, Abuse of | Self Aggrandizement | Servant Attitude | Servant Leadership | Tyrannical Leadership



Matthew 20:23

If we, as the elect of God, believe in “Christ crucified” and all that it entails (I Corinthians 1:23), then we must recognize the need for suffering and trial—to drink of the cup that God has prepared for each of us just as He did for our Savior. The apostle Peter encourages us that, if we partake in Christ's sufferings, it will be well worth the effort at His return (I Peter 4:12-13).

We should also realize that in comparison to what was required of Christ, our cup of burden will pale in magnitude; we will only be drinking from the cup He had to empty (Matthew 11:30; Romans 12:1). While these two verses should not be taken to mean that our burdens will be undemanding, we should always keep our personal sufferings in perspective by remaining aware and appreciative of the staggering effort required for our Creator and Savior to make the sacrifices He made.

Martin G. Collins
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Related Topics: Believing in "Christ Crucified" | Cup as Metaphor | Cup as Metaphor of Divine Punishment | Cup as Metaphor of Suffering | Cup as Metaphor of Trial | Drinking of the Cup | Keeping Our Own Sufferings in Perspective | Need for Suffering and Trial | Our Cup of Burden


 
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