Matthew 20:22

Matthew 20:22

Greatness Is Serving

20 ^aThen the mother of ^bZebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

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.

26 Yet ^ait shall not be so among you; but ^bwhoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

27 ^aAnd whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—

28 ^ajust as the ^bSon of Man did not come to be served, ^cbut to serve, and ^dto give His life a ransom ^efor many.”

Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight

29 ^aNow as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.

30 And behold, ^atwo blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, ^bSon of David!”

31 Then the multitude ^awarned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

Commentaries:

People's Commentary (NT)

<< Matthew 20:21

Matthew 20:23 >>

Matthew 20:22 Ye know not what ye ask. An illustration, this of ignorant prayer. Within a month they saw the places on his right hand and left occupied by the two thieves in the crucifixion (Matthew 27:38). Are ye able to drink of the cup? The "cup" is an Old Testament image of a man's lot, or portion, as holding what of life God pours out for him. See Psalms 11:6 16:5 23:5 73:10 75:8 116:13 Eze 23:33. Be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? Baptism is the necessary condition by which one can enjoy the privileges of the church. The "cup" signifies suffering voluntarily taken, or "drunk", and the baptism what is endured at the hands of others. We are able. They no doubt thought they were. They loved their Lord, as well as pre-eminence, and felt that they were willing to go with him through suffering. They, however, overestimated their strength.

**Other People's Commentary (NT) entries containing Matthew 20:22:**

Matthew 20:22
Mark 10:35-36
John 17:1

<< Matthew 20:21

Matthew 20:23 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.