Matthew 20:22 Meaning and Explanation
“But 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus says they do not understand their request and asks if they can share his cup and baptism; they answer that they can.
What Does Matthew 20:22 Mean?
Jesus turns from the mother to the sons themselves: Ye know not what ye ask. He speaks of a cup He must drink and a baptism He must undergo, both images of the suffering that awaits Him. To share His glory, He implies, is to share His path of sorrow. The brothers, perhaps not grasping the full weight, answer confidently, We are able.
The cup in Scripture often signifies a portion appointed by God, whether of blessing or of suffering, and here it is the cup of the cross. Jesus reframes the whole question of greatness. The way to the places near Him is not the way of demand but the way of shared affliction. The brothers' bold We are able is sincere yet untested; only in time will they learn how costly it is to follow their Lord into His sufferings.
Matthew 20:22 in the Original Language
poterion (ποτήριον), 'cup' -- a drinking vessel, used figuratively for the portion or lot one must accept.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:22
What does Matthew 20:22 mean?
Jesus says they do not understand their request and asks if they can share his cup and baptism; they answer that they can.