Mat 20:20-28 | PNT | STEP | Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children . Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John, and supposed by many to be the sister of the mother of Jesus. Compare .

Matthew 20:20-28

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children. Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John, and supposed by many to be the sister of the mother of Jesus. Compare Mr 10:32-35 Lu 18:31-34. What wilt thou? We learn from Mark that they asked him to grant what they wished before they stated it, after the manner of Herod to the daughter of Herodias, but he forced them to state their ambitious desire (Mr 10:35-37). The mother speaks for them.

That these my two sons may sit, etc. They still believed that he would be an earthly monarch, notwithstanding that he had just told them of his speedy death. 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 (Mt 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 Ps 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. Ye shall drink indeed of my cup. They cannot do it now, but in due time they shall follow him; they shall rise to their calling, and bravely meet all its risks and hardships. See Ac 12:1,2 Re 1:9.

Is not mine to give. The highest honors of his kingdom were not now to be disposed of by him to gratify the worldly ambition of any one.

For whom it is prepared. The Father had a plan in reference to the honors of the kingdom. The lowliest would be the loftiest. They who gave up most would get most. The ten . . . were moved with indignation. The indignation of the "ten" displayed the same spirit and motive as the request of the sons of Zebedee. It is very common that in the very act of condemning our brethren we are guilty of the same or worse faults than those we condemn. Jesus called them [unto him]. Evidently their indignation had been outspoken, but not in the immediate presence of the Lord.

The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion. In order to present the contrast between the kingdom as it would be and as they expected it, he pointed out the nature of Gentile rule. The princes "lorded over" the people. It shall not be so among you. No such lordship, no such authority, can be tolerated in your fraternity. The case is a rebuke of unhallowed ambition. Men prominent in the church should be the first to heed the admonition. Such priestly despotism as the absolute rule of the Catholic, Greek, and of some Protestant churches is at variance with this principle.

Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Your "deacon", "servant". Greatness in the kingdom of heaven consists in "doing", rather than in "being", and in doing for others, rather than for self. Greatness is to be found in service. Only those men are truly great who are the servants of their race, helpers of mankind. Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. In the church, the greatest one is he who serves most and best. Give his life a ransom. Our Lord came to serve. He even gave his life. He became our ransom; that is, he redeemed us by his blood.