20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons , bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish ?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left ." 22 But Jesus answered , "You do not know what you are asking . Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink ?" They said to Him, "We are able ." 23 He said to them, " My cup you shall drink ; but to sit on My right and on My left , this is not Mine to give , but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father ." 24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 20:20-24
Commentary on Matthew 20:20-28
(Read Matthew 20:20-28)
The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort the disciples. Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a wrong purpose. Pride is a sin that most easily besets us; it is sinful ambition to outdo others in pomp and grandeur. To put down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings. It is a bitter cup that is to be drunk of; a cup of trembling, but not the cup of the wicked. It is but a cup, it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but soon emptied; it is a cup in the hand of a Father, Philippians 1:29. But they knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism. Those are commonly most confident, who are least acquainted with the cross. Nothing makes more mischief among brethren, than desire of greatness. And we never find Christ's disciples quarrelling, but something of this was at the bottom of it. That man who labours most diligently, and suffers most patiently, seeking to do good to his brethren, and to promote the salvation of souls, most resembles Christ, and will be most honoured by him to all eternity. Our Lord speaks of his death in the terms applied to the sacrifices of old. It is a sacrifice for the sins of men, and is that true and substantial sacrifice, which those of the law faintly and imperfectly represented. It was a ransom for many, enough for all, working upon many; and, if for many, then the poor trembling soul may say, Why not for me?