Matthew 20:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 36
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
5 of 36
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ποτήριόν
cup
G4221
ποτήριόν
cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
6 of 36
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 36
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 #:
10 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἷς
it shall be given to them for whom
G3739
οἷς
it shall be given to them for whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 36
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
βαπτισθήσεσθε·
am baptized with
G907
βαπτισθήσεσθε·
am baptized with
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
14 of 36
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
βαπτισθήσεσθε·
am baptized with
G907
βαπτισθήσεσθε·
am baptized with
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
15 of 36
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθίσαι
to sit
G2523
καθίσαι
to sit
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
18 of 36
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
ἐξ
on
G1537
ἐξ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
19 of 36
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δεξιῶν
right hand
G1188
δεξιῶν
right hand
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
20 of 36
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
on
G1537
ἐξ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
23 of 36
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
εὐωνύμων
left
G2176
εὐωνύμων
left
Strong's:
G2176
Word #:
24 of 36
properly, well-named (good-omened), i.e., the left (which was the lucky side among the pagan greeks); neuter as adverbial, at the left hand
δοῦναι
to give
G1325
δοῦναι
to give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
29 of 36
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
30 of 36
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οἷς
it shall be given to them for whom
G3739
οἷς
it shall be given to them for whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
31 of 36
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
33 of 36
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 1:9I 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.Acts 12:2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.Mark 10:40But 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.Matthew 25:34Then 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:Romans 8:17And 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.1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.Hebrews 11:16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:2 Corinthians 1:7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Historical Context
Within a decade, James was executed (AD 44), fulfilling Jesus's prophecy. John survived Domitian's persecution (AD 81-96), was exiled to Patmos, and wrote Revelation. Tradition records he was boiled in oil but miraculously survived. The Father's preparation of kingdom positions echoes Ephesians 2:10—good works foreordained before creation. Jesus's self-limitation here reflects His incarnate submission to the Father's will.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's prediction of their suffering redefine what 'greatness' means in God's kingdom?
- What does Jesus's deference to the Father's sovereign appointment teach about humility and submission within the Trinity?
- How should the irony of the two thieves occupying the 'right and left' positions at the cross shape our understanding of kingdom values?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall drink indeed of my cup (τὸ μὲν ποτήριόν μου πίεσθε)—The emphatic men particle confirms their future martyrdom; Jesus prophesies that James and John will participate in His sufferings. Church history validates this: James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2), becoming the first apostolic martyr; John suffered imprisonment and exile, likely dying naturally in old age as the last living apostle.
But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give (τὸ δὲ καθίσαι... οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι)—This striking statement has puzzled interpreters. Jesus affirms submission to the Father's sovereign decree; positions in the kingdom are prepared (ἡτοίμασται) by divine foreordination, not political maneuvering. Ironically, at Calvary, two thieves occupy the right and left positions (Matthew 27:38)—the 'throne' is a cross.