Matthew 20:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 27
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
οἴδατε
Ye know
G1492
οἴδατε
Ye know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 27
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον
of the cup
G4221
ποτήριον
of the cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
13 of 27
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
ὁ
that
G3739
ὁ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μέλλω
shall
G3195
μέλλω
shall
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
16 of 27
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
that
G3739
ὁ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
21 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
βαπτισθῆναι
am baptized with
G907
βαπτισθῆναι
am baptized with
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
23 of 27
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
βαπτισθῆναι
am baptized with
G907
βαπτισθῆναι
am baptized with
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
24 of 27
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
λέγουσιν
They say
G3004
λέγουσιν
They say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Matthew 26:42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.Luke 22:42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.Mark 14:36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.Matthew 26:39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.John 18:11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?Isaiah 51:22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:Romans 8:26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.Jeremiah 49:12For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.Luke 12:50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!James 4:3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Historical Context
The cup and baptism metaphors would resonate with Jewish disciples familiar with prophetic literature. The Passover cup represented covenant participation, but Jesus transforms it into the cup of divine judgment He will drain alone (Matthew 26:39). Church tradition records that James became the first apostolic martyr (Acts 12:2, AD 44) and John suffered exile to Patmos, fulfilling Jesus's prophecy that they would indeed share His sufferings.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you confidently claimed ability to follow Christ while fundamentally misunderstanding what He was asking?
- How does the cup metaphor challenge triumphalistic Christianity that promises glory without suffering?
- What does Jesus's question about drinking His cup reveal about the nature of true discipleship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye know not what ye ask (οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε)—Jesus's response exposes their fundamental ignorance; ouk oidate (you do not know) reveals spiritual blindness deeper than the physical blindness healed in verses 30-34. Are ye able to drink of the cup (δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον)—The potērion (cup) metaphor saturates Old Testament judgment language (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15), signifying God's wrath that Jesus will absorb at Calvary.
To be baptized with the baptism (τὸ βάπτισμα βαπτισθῆναι)—The baptisma imagery echoes being overwhelmed by suffering (Psalm 42:7, 69:2). Jesus uses covenant language: sharing His cup and baptism means participating in His suffering. We are able (Δυνάμεθα)—Their confident assertion reveals presumption, not comprehension. Peter will deny Him thrice within days.