Matthew 20:18-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:22

Ye know not what ye ask. Jesus addresses, not the mother, but the two brothers who had prompted and virtually made the request. They indeed merited a rebuke for their preposterous demand; but the Saviour deals mildly with them. They had spoken ignorantly, perhaps fancying that some favour might be shown to them on the ground of their relationship to the Virgin Mary, or because of their nearness to Jesus, and certainly not in the least realizing the nature of the kingdom, the qualifications... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:22

Ignorant prayers. "Ye know not what ye ask." If some one were to say to us, as we rose from our knees or after public worship, "What is it that you now expect to receive? Of all the blessings men have been known to receive at the hand of God, which have you been asking for?" should we not frequently be forced to own, "I know not what I asked"? We seem to expect little more than that somehow our tone may be elevated and the temper of our spirits improved by our worship. But communion with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:22

Inconsiderate petition. "Ye know not what ye ask." That is, you have not thought seriously about it; have not looked it welt round, so as to be quite sure what your petition means and involves. One is a little surprised to find James and John acting so impulsively. It is the sort of thing that better suits Peter. "Boanerges" is a strange name for John; perhaps it was specially adapted to James, the elder brother. This James seems to have been somewhat of a zealot, and he paid the penalty by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:22

Imperfect self-estimates. "They say unto him, We are able." The words of our Lord "come to us as spoken in a tone of infinite tenderness and sadness. That nearness to him in his glory could be obtained only by an equal nearness in suffering. Had they counted the cost of that nearness? There was enough to lead them to see in their Master's words an intimation of some great suffering about to fall on him, and this is, indeed, implied in the very form of their answer. 'We are able,'say they,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:23

Ye shall indeed drink, etc. Jesus accepts their venture of faith, and prophesies its fulfilment. St. James first shared in Christ's baptism of blood, being murdered by Herod ( Acts 12:2 ). He was a martyr in will and deed. St. John did not, indeed, undergo a violent death, but he stood by the cross and felt his Master's sufferings; he lived a long life of persecution, banishment, and distress; he saw all his companions drop off one by one, till in extreme old age he was left solitary, with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:24

Were moved with indignation against ( περι ì ); concerning . "The ambition of one creates envy in others who partake of the same feeling" (I. Williams). The displeasure of the ten arose from their sharing in the ambitious desires which had prompted the request of the brothers. Peter does not appear prominently here, as guarding the position which Romanists assign to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25

Called them unto him. The two had stood apart when they made their request, but the ten had overheard it, or judged of its nature from Christ's answer and their own feelings. Jesus now gathers them all round him, and gives them a lesson which they all needed, first, concerning worldly greatness and pre-eminence, and secondly ( Matthew 20:26 ), concerning Christian greatness and pre-eminence. Ye know. He appeals to common experience. Exercise dominion over them; i . e . over... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25-27

True greatness. The daring request of the mother of Zebedee's children roused the jealousy of the other disciples. This was natural, and quite in accordance with the customs of the world. Nevertheless, Christ disapproved of the feeling. It showed something of the same selfish ambition that the two brothers had displayed. I. WORLDLY DIFFERENCES OF RANK ARE NOT TO BE ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST . 1 . The necessity of this rule . It springs from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:26

It shall not be so among you. There is good authority for reading "is" instead of "shall be." The new order of things was already prepared. In Messiah's kingdom a contrary rule holds good. There the governors rule solely for the good of the flock, with no self-seeking, and serving no private interests. Whosoever will be ( ὁ Ì ς ἐα Ì ν θε ì λη … γενε ì σθαι : whosoever would fain become ) great among you … minister ( δια ì κονος ). Taking for granted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

Whosoever will be ( θε ì λῃ … εἶναι ) chief ( first, πρῶτος )… servant ( bondservant, δοῦλος ). The characteristic of the Christian ruler should be humility. Christ enforces the teaching of the previous verse more emphatically by altering the terms in which it was stated. "Great" now becomes "first;" "minister," "slave." Of these two last words the former would imply rather occasional service, to meet some temporary call; the latter, the regular business of a... read more

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