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.
The brothers James and John had clearly put their mother up to their request, thinking her petition on their behalf would disguise their grab for power, for the position on the right and left hand side of the Lord Jesus. Though their mother mouthed the question, Jesus responded to the sons. Despite their self-serving motives, this move did reflect that they truly believed Jesus was the Messiah and the question anticipated their participation in the restoration of the kingdom. However, they had yet to learn that life in the kingdom was going to be quite different than what they were expecting, and that His kingdom was “not of this world” (John 8:36).
Jesus had earlier surprised them with the teaching that entrance into the kingdom of heaven required becoming like a child, and that the greatest in the kingdom is the one who humbles himself like a child (Matthew 18:3-4). Not yet understanding that, the brothers still felt attaining prominence would only come through their conniving behind the others’ back, positioning themselves for preferential treatment when the kingdom did arrive.
The prospect of reigning with Christ in the Kingdom, which He had just spoken of, was still fresh in their minds (see Matt 19:28). Little did they understand what Jesus meant when He spoke of the cup He was about to drink (see John 18:11). When they said that they, too, were able to “drink” of it, as Matthew Henry points out, “They talked of it as blind men do of colors.”
The Lord’s response was that, indeed, they would “drink the cup.” Later this must have provided a bitter memory during the dark days between the crucifixion and resurrection, and also during the darker days of persecution they would all experience after the resurrection. But as for the positions of prominence in the kingdom, that is the Father’s prerogative alone. The disciples would have done better to concern themselves with weightier matters.
That this personal competitiveness was not unique to James and John is clear from the reaction of the rest when they found out about the coup attempt. They were angry, “indignant” as the Scripture says, probably because they might have been preempted!
Lord, pride seems to always be present in me. Help me become more like a child in humility. I accept the struggles of faith that You allow.
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