Open an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
Verse 35. S. Matt. (20:20) says it was their mother, Salome, but probably at their solicitation, or at least with their connivance and consent.
He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Verse 42. Who seem to rule over the Gentiles, and so forth See Matthew 20:25, and Luke 22:25. Witham.
But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
Verse 43. In vain then do men either seek for immoderate power, or sigh after human greatness; for, not power, but humility, is the sure and only path to the summit of perfection. He then proves to them by his own example, that if they would not believe his words, they might at least learn by his example. Ven. Bede.
Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all.
For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”