Matthew 20:23

“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the two brothers immediately after they claim they can share in his coming suffering, speaking to them while the other ten disciples listen. He responds at that exact moment to their request for positions of honor.

The words — The Greek potērion (the cup) and piesthe (you will drink) anchor Jesus’ declaration that the brothers will share in his coming suffering. The particle men (indeed) confirms the certainty of this shared experience.

The thread — The theme of divinely appointed seats runs through Matthew 25:34 and Mark 10:40, where positioning is tied to the Father’s preparation rather than human request. The cup motif also appears in Revelation 1:9 alongside tribulation and kingdom perseverance.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to accept that authority and honor are determined by God’s sovereign preparation, not by human ambition or negotiation. The text demands a shift from seeking status to enduring the path the Father has assigned.

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 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.

Cross-references

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Mark 10:40 But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
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.
Acts 12:2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
2 Timothy 2:11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.
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.
Hebrews 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.