Matthew 20

Matthew 20:21

Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on

thy right hand, and the other on the left in thy kingdom. Lord, thou knowest I am thy kinswoman, and therefore worthy to be respected of thee before a stranger: two of my sons have attended thee thus long: we are persuaded that thou, being the Messiah, shalt restore a glorious temporal kingdom to Israel; grant me this favour, that these two sons

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.

I know there are more hands in this suit, than thine own: thy sons have set thee on to move this. But ye know not what it is, that ye sue for: ye think of reigning, and jollity, and magnificence, but I must call back your thoughts to sadness and suffering: much sorrow must be endured by me, ere I can reign and triumph; neither is my sovereignty such as ye fondly imagine, outward and earthly. Tell me then, have ye fully digested the expectation and resolution of those crosses and afflictions which ye must undergo? can ye drink of that bitter cup, wherein I shall begin to you? can ye endure to be baptized in blood, as ye shall see me to be? They say to him; We are resolved, both that we are able, and to be willing to take part with thee, in whatsoever measure shall be offered unto thee.

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.

And he saith unto them, As ye are my disciples and followers, ye shall indeed take part with me in my sufferings: make account of smarting and bleeding for me, and with me; but as for that glory which ye sue for, know that it is mistaken: my kingdom is spiritual, and my glory is and shall be heavenly: there are indeed degrees of honour and happiness above; but I came not now to dispose of them: my Father in Heaven hath ordained and predetermined, before the foundations of the world, upon whom he will confer these celestial honours and precedency, and eminence of glory; the end and purpose of my coming is, to purchase heaven for you and the rest of my Church: as for the principal rooms and ranks of glory, there is a bold ambition and curiosity in you to move for them, and it is no part of my commission to give you satisfaction therein.

Matthew 20:24

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

When the other ten apostles heard of this high and ambitious motion, which was made for their two fellows, the sons of Zebedee, they swelled with envy and secret indignation, to think that these two should make such earnest suit, to outstrip all the rest of their society; and every one began to compare himself with others, and to put himself forward into a competition of the like honour. M 2

Matthew 20:25

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But Jesus called them aside and rebuked them, saying, Ye do utterly mistake the matter: ye think, belike, that it is and shall be in the governing of the Spiritual Kingdom of my Church, as it is in the temporal regiments and courts of earthly princes: ye dream of secular sovereignty and rule, each over other; but the case is quite otherwise here: here is no dominion to be exercised by any of you over the rest; as if ye were great sovereigns, and your brethren base subjects: thus it is indeed in the government of earthly princes.

Matthew 20:26

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

But it shall not be so among you, my apostles and disciples: there must needs indeed be distinct orders in my Church; neither is it possible, that there should be a mere parity without confusion: but this necessary inequality must be without a proud overliness, and insolent domineering over your brethren: all the ambition that I do allow amongst you, is, who shall be most serviceable to my Church, and most obsequious to the rest of his fellows.