Suffering and Service

³⁵ Then^(A) James^(B) and John,^(C) the sons of Zebedee,^(D) approached Him and said, “Teacher,^(E) we want You to do something for us if we ask You.”

³⁶ “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked them.

³⁷ They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.”^(F)

³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking.^(G) Are you able to drink the cup^(H) I drink or to be baptized with the baptism^(I) I am baptized with?”^(J)

³⁹ “We are able,” they told Him.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.^{(K) 40} But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.” ⁴¹ When the other 10 disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.^(L)

⁴² Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate^(M) them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. ⁴³ But it must not be like that among you.^(N) On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,^{(O) 44} and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave^(P) to all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man^(Q) did not come to be served, but to serve,^(R) and to give His life^(S)—a ransom^(T) for many.”^[a](U)

The Dispute over Greatness

²⁴ Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.^{(A) 25} But He said to them,^(B) “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called^[a] ‘Benefactors.’^{[b] 26} But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest,^(C) and whoever leads, like the one serving. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.^(D)