Matthew 20:23

KJV

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Ye shall drink {G4095} indeed {G3303} of my {G3450} cup {G4221}, and {G2532} be baptized {G907} with the baptism {G908} that {G3739} I {G1473} am baptized with {G907}: but {G1161} to sit {G2523} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188}, and {G2532} on {G1537} my {G3450} left {G2176}, is {G2076} not {G3756} mine {G1699} to give {G1325}, but {G235} it shall be given to them for whom {G3739} it is prepared {G2090} of {G5259} my {G3450} Father {G3962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, "Yes, you will drink my cup. But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give, it is for those for whom my Father has prepared it."

Berean Standard Bible

“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.”

American Standard Version

He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared of my Father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 20:23, Jesus responds to the ambitious request of James and John (through their mother) for positions of honor in His kingdom. He first confirms that they will indeed share in His suffering and destiny, represented by "drinking His cup" and being "baptized with His baptism." However, He then clarifies that the allocation of ultimate positions of glory, such as sitting at His right and left hand, is not His to grant but is reserved for those for whom it has been divinely prepared by the Father, emphasizing God's sovereign authority in dispensing heavenly rewards.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the third of Jesus' passion predictions in [Matthew 20:17-19](/matthew/20-17-19 "Matthew 20:17-19 - Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time"), where He explicitly details His impending suffering, betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. Despite this clear prophecy of suffering, the mother of James and John approaches Jesus in [Matthew 20:20-21](/matthew/20-20-21 "Matthew 20:20-21 - The Request of James and John's Mother") with a request for her sons to occupy the most prominent positions in His kingdom. This highlights the disciples' persistent misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom, still expecting an earthly, political reign of power rather than one founded on suffering and service. Jesus' response in [Matthew 20:22-28](/matthew/20-22-28 "Matthew 20:22-28 - True Greatness is Service") directly addresses this ambition, contrasting worldly notions of leadership with the self-sacrificial model of the Son of Man.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Jewish messianic expectations, sitting at the right or left hand of a king signified the highest positions of honor, authority, and proximity to power. It implied being a chief advisor, a trusted confidant, or a co-regent. The disciples, like many Jews of their time, anticipated a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom, restoring Israel to its former glory. Their request reflects this common eschatological hope, albeit with a personal, ambitious twist. Furthermore, the concept of a "cup" often symbolized one's destiny or allotted portion, which could be either blessing or suffering (e.g., [Psalm 11:6](/psalms/11-6 "Psalm 11:6 - The Cup of Judgment") for judgment, [Psalm 23:5](/psalms/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - The Cup of Blessing") for blessing). Similarly, "baptism" could signify an overwhelming experience or identification, going beyond mere ritual.
* **Key Themes:** This passage contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **true discipleship**, which is characterized not by worldly ambition and status-seeking, but by humble service and a willingness to share in Christ's suffering, as articulated in [Matthew 16:24-25](/matthew/16-24-25 "Matthew 16:24-25 - Take Up Your Cross"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **sovereignty of God the Father** in the distribution of ultimate rewards and positions within the kingdom, reinforcing that divine prerogatives are not subject to human demands or favoritism. This aligns with Jesus' consistent submission to the Father's will (e.g., [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Finally, the passage subtly develops the theme of **Christ's unique mission of suffering and service**, culminating in His ransom for many, as plainly stated in [Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cup (Greek, _potḗrion_):** (G4221) A drinking-vessel; by extension, its contents, a draught; figuratively, a lot or fate. In this context, the "cup" metaphorically represents a destiny of intense suffering, trials, and perhaps even martyrdom, which Jesus Himself would soon experience in His passion. It signifies the bitter portion of affliction that He was to drink, and which His true followers would also partake in.
* **Baptized (Greek, _baptízō_):** (G907) To immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet). While often referring to the ritual of Christian baptism, here it is used figuratively to denote a complete immersion into an overwhelming experience, specifically one of suffering, affliction, and identification with Christ's death. It implies being fully engulfed by the same trials and destiny that Jesus would face.
* **Prepared (Greek, _hetoimázō_):** (G2090) To prepare, provide, make ready. This word highlights the divine foreordination and meticulous planning of God the Father. The positions of honor in the kingdom are not arbitrarily assigned or subject to human petition, but are divinely appointed according to God's eternal purpose and sovereign will, having been "made ready" by Him from eternity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:"** Jesus directly addresses James and John, confirming that they will indeed share in His suffering. The "cup" and "baptism" are powerful metaphors for the intense trials, persecution, and ultimate suffering that await Jesus, and which His committed disciples will also experience. This is a prophetic statement, fulfilled in James's martyrdom ([Acts 12:2](/acts/12-2 "Acts 12:2 - James Martyred")) and John's extensive suffering and exile ([Revelation 1:9](/revelation/1-9 "Revelation 1:9 - John on Patmos")). Jesus acknowledges their willingness to suffer, even if they don't fully grasp its implications.
* **"but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give,"** This clause marks a clear distinction. While Jesus affirms their future suffering, He clarifies that the granting of ultimate positions of honor and authority in His kingdom is not within His prerogative to unilaterally bestow based on human request. This statement underscores Jesus' humility and His complete submission to the Father's will, even in His divine authority. It challenges the disciples' worldly understanding of power and privilege.
* **"but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father."** The ultimate distribution of heavenly rewards and positions of honor rests solely with God the Father. These positions are not earned through human ambition, favoritism, or even a willingness to suffer, but are divinely appointed according to the Father's sovereign plan and eternal purpose. This emphasizes God's perfect justice and wisdom in determining who receives such honor, highlighting that true reward comes from divine preparation, not human striving.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **literary devices**. **Metaphor** is central, with "my cup" and "the baptism that I am baptized with" serving as powerful symbols of suffering, destiny, and identification with Christ's afflictions. The "cup" evokes images of divine judgment or a predetermined portion, while "baptism" signifies an overwhelming immersion into a shared experience. The contrast between the disciples' worldly ambition for "right hand" and "left hand" positions and Jesus' emphasis on suffering creates a stark **juxtaposition**, highlighting the divergent paths of worldly power versus kingdom service. Furthermore, Jesus' statement functions as a **prophecy**, foretelling the future suffering of James and John, which would indeed come to pass. The entire exchange also serves as a **didactic dialogue**, through which Jesus corrects His disciples' misguided notions of greatness and teaches them about the true nature of His kingdom and the Father's ultimate sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:23 profoundly shapes our understanding of discipleship, divine sovereignty, and the nature of Christ's kingdom. It teaches that while suffering is an unavoidable aspect of following Christ, and indeed a means of identifying with Him, the ultimate distribution of glory and honor is not a matter of human negotiation or merit, but of God's sovereign and eternal decree. This passage thus reorients our focus from seeking earthly status to embracing the path of humble service and trusting in the Father's perfect will for our eternal reward.

* [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ, Suffer with Him")
* [Luke 12:50](/luke/12-50 "Luke 12:50 - Jesus' Baptism of Suffering")
* [1 Corinthians 12:18](/1_corinthians/12-18 "1 Corinthians 12:18 - God Arranges the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a potent reminder that the Christian walk is fundamentally different from the world's pursuit of power and recognition. It calls us to examine our own motives: are we seeking to follow Christ for personal gain, status, or comfort, or are we genuinely prepared to share in His sufferings? True discipleship often involves hardship, sacrifice, and rejection, mirroring the path Jesus Himself walked. Yet, even in our willingness to suffer, we are reminded that our ultimate reward and position in God's kingdom are not earned by our efforts or ambitions, but are divinely appointed by the Father. This should cultivate a spirit of humility, contentment, and trust in God's perfect plan, freeing us from the anxieties of striving for earthly recognition or comparing ourselves to others. Our focus should be on faithful service and obedience, knowing that God, in His perfect wisdom, will justly prepare and grant all things according to His eternal purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cup" or "baptism" of suffering might God be calling me to embrace in my walk with Christ today?**
* **How does my understanding of "greatness" in God's kingdom align with or diverge from the disciples' initial ambition in this passage?**
* **In what ways do I struggle with trusting God's sovereignty over my future, particularly concerning my role or reward in His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus' statement "is not mine to give" mean He is not fully God?**

Answer: No, Jesus' statement does not imply a deficiency in His divine nature or authority. Rather, it highlights His perfect submission and unity with the Father's will. In His incarnate state, Jesus consistently operated within the framework of the Father's plan, demonstrating humility and obedience. This statement underscores the Father's ultimate sovereignty in the distribution of kingdom honors, revealing a harmonious divine economy where roles are distinct yet unified. It teaches that even the Son, in His redemptive mission, defers to the Father's prepared plan for ultimate glory, emphasizing that such positions are not arbitrary but divinely ordained (compare [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What He Sees the Father Doing") and [John 14:10](/john/14-10 "John 14:10 - Jesus in the Father, Father in Jesus")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:23 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in Jesus' inability to grant positions, but in His very nature as the suffering Servant who came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The "cup" Jesus speaks of is the very cup of divine wrath and suffering He would drink on the cross, a destiny He fully embraced in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His "baptism" is His complete immersion into death and resurrection, a unique act of atonement that secures salvation for humanity ([Luke 12:50](/luke/12-50 "Luke 12:50 - Jesus' Baptism of Suffering")). While James and John would indeed share in suffering for His name, their suffering is a participation in His, not an independent merit for glory. The ultimate positions of glory are "prepared of my Father" because they are secured by Christ's finished work, a work orchestrated by the Father's eternal plan. Thus, the Father's sovereign distribution of glory is inextricably linked to the Son's sacrificial obedience, ensuring that all honor redounds to God alone, and that those who share in Christ's sufferings will ultimately share in His glory, not by their own striving, but by the Father's gracious preparation through the Son's atoning work ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ, Suffer with Him")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 1:9

¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Mark 10:40

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.

Acts 12:2

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

2 Timothy 2:11

[It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

2 Timothy 2:12

If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

Romans 8:17

¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.