What is the meaning of Matthew 20:22?

“You do not know what you are asking”

• James and John, through their mother (Matthew 20:20-21), seek the highest honors in Christ’s kingdom, assuming glory without suffering.

• Jesus lovingly exposes their ignorance: they are asking for privilege without grasping the pathway of the cross (compare Mark 10:38; Luke 9:54-56, where the same brothers show similar misunderstanding).

• Scripture consistently warns against presumption—thinking we understand God’s plan when we do not (Proverbs 3:5-6; Job 38:2).

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“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

• “The cup” points to Jesus’ impending suffering and atoning death (Matthew 26:39, 42; John 18:11).

• Old-Testament imagery frames the cup as God’s wrath poured out on sin (Jeremiah 25:15-16; Psalm 75:8). Jesus, the sinless One, will drink it for us (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

• By asking this question, Jesus invites the brothers to count the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:27-28; Acts 14:22). Following Him means sharing, in measure, the pathway of suffering before glory (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:13).

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“We can”

• The brothers answer confidently, yet without full understanding. Their quick “yes” echoes Peter’s bold but untested loyalty (Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:31).

• Jesus does affirm they will indeed share His cup (Matthew 20:23). James will be martyred (Acts 12:2). John will suffer exile and persecution (Revelation 1:9). Their future proves that grace can transform ignorance into steadfast faith (Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 5:10).

• The moment reminds us that sincere devotion still needs refining. God graciously deepens our comprehension through trials (James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:7-11).

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summary

Matthew 20:22 shows Jesus correcting misguided ambition, revealing that true greatness in His kingdom travels the road of sacrificial suffering. The “cup” is His atoning death, and any who follow Him must be prepared to share in hardship before sharing in glory. The brothers’ confident but naive “We can” becomes, by grace, a fulfilled promise as they later endure trials for Christ. The passage calls believers to sober-minded commitment, trusting that the Lord who drank the full cup for us will sustain us through every lesser cup we are given to bear.