Matthew 20:22
What does Matthew 20:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 20:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 20:22 means
Jesus' response, "Ye know not what ye ask," directly addresses the disciples' ignorance about the true nature of kingdom greatness. His question, "Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" refers to His impending suffering and death, often symbolized as a bitter "cup" in Scripture. Their confident reply, "We are able," reveals their zeal but also their lack of understanding about the immense cost of following Christ's path of sacrifice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Jesus made answer and said, You have no idea what you are requesting. Are you able to take of the cup which I am about to take?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And 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.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus answering said, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink the cup which I am about to drink? They say to him, We are able.
Context
This verse presents Jesus' direct challenge to the request of James and John and their mother, exposing their ignorance regarding the cost of true greatness. His question about drinking His cup of suffering sets up the profound teaching on self-sacrifice that follows. The disciples' confident but misguided answer is crucial for Jesus' corrective instruction in the subsequent verses.
v.21And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom.
v.22This passage
v.23He 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:35
Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
- Mark 10:38
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
- Matthew 26:42
Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.
- Mark 14:36
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt.
- Luke 22:42
saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
- Luke 12:50
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
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