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Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” <a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered. <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And Jesus answering, said, "You do not know what you ask for. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink?" They say to Him, "We are able." <a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a> But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/20.htm">New King James Version</a> But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Jesus replied, “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.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Jesus answered, &#8220You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?&#8221 They said to Him, &#8220We are able.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Jesus answered and said, “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.” <a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Jesus replied, “You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup [of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They answered, “We are able.” <a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? ” “We are able,” they said to him. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jesus answered, &#8220You don&#8217t know what you&#8217re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?&#8221 &#8220 We are able,&#8221 they said to Him. <a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able. <a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "Not one of you knows what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from?" James and John said, "Yes, we are!" <a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able. <a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus replied, "You don't realize what you're asking. Can you drink the cup that I'm going to drink?" "We can," they told him. <a href="/gnt/matthew/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> "You don't know what you are asking for," Jesus answered the sons. "Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?" "We can," they answered. <a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus replied, "You don't realize what you're asking. Can you drink from the cup that I'm going to drink from?" They told him, "We can." <a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?You do not know what you are asking,? Jesus replied. ?Can you drink the cup I am going to drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?? ?We can,? the brothers answered. <a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." <a href="/nheb/matthew/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But Jesus answered and said, "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." <a href="/wbt/matthew/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say to him, We are able. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. <a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a> But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Jesus answering said, “You have not known what you ask for yourselves; are you able to drink of the cup that I am about to drink? And with the immersion that I am immersed with, to be immersed?” They say to Him, “We are able.” <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And Jesus answering, said, "You do not know what you ask for. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink?" They say to Him, "We are able." <a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus answering said, 'Ye have not known what ye ask for yourselves; are ye able to drink of the cup that I am about to drink? and with the baptism that I am baptized with, to be baptized?' They say to him, 'We are able.' <a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus having answered, said, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink the cup which I am about to drink, and be immersed with the immersion which I am immersed? They say to him, We can.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Jesus, responding, said: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the chalice, from which I will drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus answered and said, You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am ready to drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized? They said to him, We can. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua answered and he said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am prepared to drink or to be baptized in the baptism in which I am to be baptized?” They were saying to him, “We are able.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But Jesus answered and said: You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and to be immersed with the immersion with which I am immersed? They said to him: We are able. <a href="/godbey/matthew/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And Jesus responding said, <FR>You know not what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink?<Fr> They say to Him, We are able. <a href="/haweis/matthew/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Jesus answering said, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I am going to drink, and be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised? They say unto him, We are able. <a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask, can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. <a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But Jesus, answering, said, <FR>"Ye know not what ye are asking. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?"<Fr> They say to Him, "We are able." <a href="/worsley/matthew/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But Jesus answered and said, <FR>Ye know not what ye ask: are ye able to drink of the cup which I am going to drink <Fr>of,<FR> and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/20-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5815" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">A Mother's Request</a> …21“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.” 22<a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidate (V-RIA-2P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">You do not know</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aiteisthe (V-PIM-2P) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">you are asking,” </a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">replied.</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">“Can you</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: piein (V-ANA) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">drink</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4221.htm" title="4221: potērion (N-ANS) -- A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots. ">cup</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3195.htm" title="3195: mellō (V-PIA-1S) -- A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.">am going</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: pinein (V-PNA) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">to drink?”</a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: Dynametha (V-PIM/P-1P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">“We can,”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">the brothers answered.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> 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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/10-38.htm">Mark 10:38</a> “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?” <a href="/luke/12-50.htm">Luke 12:50</a> But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! <a href="/john/18-11.htm">John 18:11</a> “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a> Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” <a href="/matthew/26-42.htm">Matthew 26:42</a> A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a> And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a> I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, <a href="/2_timothy/2-12.htm">2 Timothy 2:12</a> if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; <a href="/revelation/3-21.htm">Revelation 3:21</a> To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. <a href="/isaiah/51-17.htm">Isaiah 51:17</a> Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you who have drained the goblet to the dregs—the cup that makes men stagger. <a href="/isaiah/51-22.htm">Isaiah 51:22</a> Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again. <a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Jeremiah 25:15</a> This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. <a href="/psalms/75-8.htm">Psalm 75:8</a> For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours from His cup, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to the dregs. <a href="/zechariah/12-2.htm">Zechariah 12:2</a> “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. Judah will be besieged, as well as Jerusalem. <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a> Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But Jesus answered and said, You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say to him, We are able.Ye know not.<a href="/mark/10-38.htm">Mark 10:38</a> But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?<a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a> Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.<a href="/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3</a> Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.the cup.<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39,42</a> And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt… <a href="/psalms/75-3.htm">Psalm 75:3</a> The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.<a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Jeremiah 25:15</a> For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.baptized with the.<a href="/mark/10-39.htm">Mark 10:39</a> And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:<a href="/luke/12-50.htm">Luke 12:50</a> But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!We.<a href="/matthew/26-35.htm">Matthew 26:35,56</a> Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples… <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a> Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-25.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/3-14.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/matthew/10-42.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/matthew/11-18.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/21-27.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/3-31.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 20</div>1. <a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/20-17.htm">foretells his passion;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;</a> 29. <a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">and gives two blind men their sight.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. This phrase highlights the disciples' misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' mission and the kingdom of God. They were expecting a political or earthly kingdom, not realizing the spiritual and sacrificial nature of Jesus' work. This reflects a common theme in the Gospels where Jesus' followers often misunderstand His teachings and mission. The request made by James and John, through their mother, for positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom (<a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">Matthew 20:20-21</a>) shows their lack of comprehension of the suffering and service that true leadership in God's kingdom entails.“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” The "cup" is a metaphor for the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus would endure, particularly His crucifixion. In the Old Testament, the cup often symbolizes God's judgment and wrath (<a href="/psalms/75-8.htm">Psalm 75:8</a>, <a href="/isaiah/51-17.htm">Isaiah 51:17</a>). Jesus uses this imagery to foreshadow His impending suffering and to challenge the disciples' understanding of what it means to follow Him. This question is a call to consider the cost of discipleship, which involves sharing in Christ's sufferings (<a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a>).“We can,” the brothers answered. James and John confidently assert their willingness to share in Jesus' fate, yet their response reveals their naivety and lack of understanding of the true cost of discipleship. Historically, James would indeed face martyrdom (<a href="/acts/12-2.htm">Acts 12:2</a>), and John would endure persecution and exile (<a href="/revelation/1-9.htm">Revelation 1:9</a>). Their answer reflects a common human tendency to overestimate one's own strength and commitment without fully grasping the challenges ahead. This moment serves as a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God's strength in the face of trials.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a request made by the mother of James and John. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the teacher of His disciples. 2. <a href="/topical/j/james_and_john.htm">James and John</a> Also known as the sons of Zebedee, they are two of Jesus' twelve disciples. Their mother has just asked Jesus for a special favor for them. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_cup.htm">The Cup</a> This is a metaphor used by Jesus to describe the suffering and sacrifice He is about to endure. In the original Greek, the word "cup" (pot?rion) often symbolizes a portion or experience, particularly one that involves suffering or divine wrath. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_baptism.htm">The Baptism</a> Another metaphor used by Jesus, referring to His impending suffering and death. The Greek word for baptism (baptisma) implies an overwhelming experience or immersion, in this context, into suffering. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The broader group of Jesus' followers, who are present and listening to this exchange. They are learning about the cost of discipleship and the nature of true greatness in the Kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_greatness.htm">Understanding True Greatness</a> Jesus teaches that true greatness in His Kingdom is not about positions of power but about serving others and being willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following Jesus involves a willingness to endure hardship and sacrifice, as symbolized by the "cup" and "baptism" of suffering. <a href="/topical/s/submission_to_god's_will.htm">Submission to God's Will</a> Like Jesus, believers are called to submit to God's will, even when it involves personal sacrifice or suffering. <a href="/topical/s/servant_leadership.htm">Servant Leadership</a> Jesus models and calls His followers to a leadership style that prioritizes serving others over seeking personal glory or status.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20</a> <a href="/q/what_does_surrendering_to_god_mean.htm">What does surrendering to God mean?</a> <a href="/q/allow_children_in_communion_baptism.htm">Should children be allowed to participate in communion and baptism?</a> <a href="/q/why_can't_jesus_choose_who_sits_by_him.htm">Matthew 20:23 – If Jesus is fully divine, why does He imply He has no authority over who sits at His right and left? </a> <a href="/q/does_jesus'_action_conflict_with_exodus_20_12.htm">Matthew 12:46-50: Does Jesus' apparent dismissal of his own mother and brothers conflict with the commandment to honor one's parents (Exodus 20:12)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) Ye know not what ye ask.--The words come to us as spoken in a tone of infinite tenderness and sadness. That nearness to Him in His glory could be obtained only by an equal nearness in suffering. Had they counted the cost of that nearness?To drink of the cup that I shall drink of.--The words that follow, "to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with," are not found in many of the best MSS., and have probably been added to bring St. Matthew's narrative into harmony with St. Mark's. For the sake of completeness, however, they will be examined here. And (1) we have the question, How did the two disciples understand our Lord's words? We are familiar with their meaning. Was it equally clear to them? As far as the cup is concerned, there can be little doubt that any reader of the Old Testament would at once recognise it as the symbol of a good or evil fortune. There was the "cup running over" of <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm" title="You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.">Psalm 23:5</a>, the "wine-cup of fury" of <a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm" title="For thus said the LORD God of Israel to me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.">Jeremiah 25:15</a>, the "cup of astonishment and desolation" of <a href="/ezekiel/23-33.htm" title="You shall be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of your sister Samaria.">Ezekiel 23:33</a>. The meaning of the "baptism" was, perhaps, less obvious (see Note on <a href="/matthew/20-29.htm" title="And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.">Matthew 20:29</a>, on our Lord's use of the symbolism), yet here also there were the overwhelming "proud waters" of <a href="/psalms/124-5.htm" title="Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.">Psalm 124:5</a>, the "waves and billows" of <a href="/psalms/42-7.htm" title="Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterspouts: all your waves and your billows are gone over me.">Psalm 42:7</a>. The very verb, "to baptize" (i.e., to plunge into the deep), was used by Josephus for the destruction of a city (Wars, iv. 3, ? 3), by the LXX. for "terrifying" in <a href="/isaiah/21-4.htm" title="My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure has he turned into fear to me.">Isaiah 21:4</a>. Our Lord Himself had already used it in dim mysterious reference to His coming passion (<a href="/luke/12-50.htm" title="But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!">Luke 12:50</a>, where see Note). There was enough, then, to lead them to see in their Master's words an intimation of some great suffering about to fall on Him, and this is, indeed, implied in the very form of their answer. "We are able," they say, in the tone of those who have been challenged and accept the challenge. That their insight into the great mystery of the passion went but a little way as compared with their Master's, lies, of course, in the very nature of the case. When the beloved disciple, in after years, taught by his own experience and by his brother's death (<a href="/acts/12-2.htm" title="And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.">Acts 12:2</a>), thought over the words, "Let this cup pass from Me" (26:39), he must have seen somewhat more clearly into its depth of meaning. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22. - Ye know not what ye ask. Jesus addresses, not the mother, but the two brothers who had prompted and virtually made the request. They indeed merited a rebuke for their preposterous demand; but the Saviour deals mildly with them. They had spoken ignorantly, perhaps fancying that some favour might be shown to them on the ground of their relationship to the Virgin Mary, or because of their nearness to Jesus, and certainly not in the least realizing the nature of the kingdom, the qualifications of its inheritors, or the difficulties that have to be surmounted by those who would win eminent positions therein. Things that we deem most desirable would often be the very worst for our spiritual progress; and in praying for really good things, we are apt to forget to count the cost we must pay for their attainment. Jesus sets before the ambitious brethren the obstacles that would meet them. Are ye able to drink of the cup? Joy and sorrow, blessing and affliction, in Holy Scripture are often denoted under the metaphor of a cup (comp. <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Psalm 11:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/51-17.htm">Isaiah 51:17</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Jeremiah 25:15</a>). Here the cup signifies the internal, mental, and spiritual sufferings which Christ endured (<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39, 42</a>). That I shall drink of; ο{ ἐγὼ μέλλω πίνειν: which I am about to drink; or am purposing to drink. Christ expresses his voluntary intention of suffering bitterly, and asks if they are prepared to do the same. To he baptized, etc. The baptism is significant of the external pains and persecutions, in the sea of which he was to be sunk (comp. <a href="/psalms/69-2.htm">Psalm 69:2, 15</a>). The cup and the baptism adumbrate the two sacraments by which we are made one with Christ. Many of the best manuscripts, the Vulgate and other versions, omit this last clause, and the corresponding one in the following verse; and many modern editors, with the Revised Version, expunge it also. It is supposed to have been introduced from the parallel passage in St. Mark. There it is undoubtedly genuine; so we have good warrant to believe that our Lord spoke the words, whether St. Matthew really reported them or not. We are able. They came forward now and answered in simplicity, not understanding that to which they pledged themselves. They loved their Master, they knew that trials awaited him, and they were willing to share his lot. Ere long they were put to the proof, and in the end came out victorious. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“You do not know οἴδατε (oidate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. you are asking,” αἰτεῖσθε (aiteisthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. replied. Ἀποκριθεὶς (Apokritheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “Are you able δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. to drink πιεῖν (piein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. cup ποτήριον (potērion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4221.htm">Strong's 4221: </a> A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am going μέλλω (mellō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3195.htm">Strong's 3195: </a> A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. to drink?” πίνειν (pinein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe. “We are able,” Δυνάμεθα (Dynametha) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. [the brothers] answered. Λέγουσιν (Legousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/20-22.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered You don't know what (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>