Mar 10:39 | TNotes | STEP | 10:39 James and John did indeed drink a bitter cup ... of suffering for Jesus. James died for his faith (Acts 12:1-5 ). John died an old man, having experienced persecution (Tertullian, The Soul 50; Jerome, Commentary on Galatians 6, 10). Yet the death of James and John was not the same as that of Jesus—no believer can die Jesus’ death as a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world (Mark 10:45 ) or experience the divine wrath as he did (15:34 ).

bActs 12:1-5►

cMark 10:45►

‏ Mark 10:39

10:39 ^a James and John did indeed drink a bitter cup ... of suffering for Jesus. James died for his faith (Acts 12:1-5 ^b). John died an old man, having experienced persecution (Tertullian, The Soul 50; Jerome, Commentary on Galatians 6, 10). Yet the death of James and John was not the same as that of Jesus—no believer can die Jesus’ death as a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world (Mark 10:45 ^c) or experience the divine wrath as he did (15:34 ^d).