The Last Will Be First
“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” Matthew 20:22 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus says, 'You don't know what you're asking. Can you drink the cup I'm about to drink?' They answer, 'We can.'
The 'cup' means suffering. They say yes without really knowing what they're agreeing to.
Jesus asks if they're ready for what following Him actually costs, and they say yes — bravely, if naively.
They wanted thrones; Jesus offers them a cup of suffering. They accept, not yet knowing what it will taste like.
Jesus tells them they do not understand what they are asking, then poses the metaphor of 'drinking His cup' (to potērion) — an Old Testament image for suffering and divine judgment (Isa 51:17, Jer 25:15).
The 'cup' Jesus will pray about in Gethsemane (26:39) is the cup of suffering; James and John claim readiness without understanding.
Jesus challenges the brothers directly, and they affirm their willingness to share His suffering.
Jesus redirects from thrones to the cup of suffering. The brothers answer 'yes' to a question they do not fully comprehend.
20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
21“What do you want?” He inquired.
22“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
23“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Read all of Matthew 20 — Workers hired at day's end receive the same wage as those who sweated since dawn. God's generosity offends our scorekeeping instincts.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad