Bible Strands
Mark 10:39
“We can,” the brothers answered. “You will drink the cup that I drink,” Jesus said, “and you will be baptized with the baptism that I undergo.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to James and John immediately after they claim they are able to endure his coming suffering. This exchange occurs during his journey to Jerusalem, directly following his third prediction of his death.
The words — The Greek δυνάμεθα (dynametha) literally means “we are able,” directly answering Jesus’s question about endurance. Jesus responds with a future declaration of what will happen to them, structuring the statement as a prediction rather than a validation of their current readiness.
The thread — The pattern of sharing Jesus’s suffering appears in Acts 12:2, where James is executed by the sword, and Revelation 1:9, which describes believers as partners in tribulation and perseverance through Jesus. John 17:14 extends this motif by noting the world’s hostility toward those who belong to him.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure their claims of commitment against the actual cost of following him. It demands a sober assessment of willingness to endure hardship before any expectation of privilege.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
Cross-references
- Acts 12:2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
- Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
- John 17:14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
- Matthew 10:25 It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
- Mark 14:31 But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing.
- Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
- John 13:37 “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
- John 15:20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.