Matthew 20:23
What does Matthew 20:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 20:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 20:23 means
Jesus affirms that James and John will indeed "drink my cup," prophetically indicating their future suffering for His sake. However, He clarifies that positions of honor are "not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared of my Father." This teaches that spiritual authority and ultimate reward are determined by God the Father, not by human ambition or Jesus' arbitrary assignment. It reiterates God's sovereignty in bestowing honor to those who live out true humility.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They say to him, We are able. He says to them, Truly, you will take of my cup: but to be seated at my right hand and at my left is not for me to give, but it is for those for whom my Father has made it ready.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he saith to them, `Of my cup indeed ye shall drink, and with the baptism that I am baptized with ye shall be baptized; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but--to those for whom it hath been prepared by my father.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[And] he says to them, Ye shall drink indeed my cup, but to sit on my right hand and on [my] left, is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Context
Following the disciples' affirmation that they can drink His cup, Jesus clarifies the nature of their suffering and the distribution of kingdom honors. He confirms their future suffering, but defers the allocation of specific seats of honor to the Father. This distinction is vital for understanding that spiritual authority is divinely appointed and tied to the Father's will, leading directly into the other disciples' reaction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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:
- Revelation 1:9
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 2:11
Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
- Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church;
- 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 with him.
- Acts 12:2
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
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