But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. How gentle the reply to such a request, preferred at such a time, after the sad announcement just made!
Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? To 'drink of a cup' is in Scripture a figure for getting one's fill either of good (Psalms 16:5; Psalms 23:5; Psalms 116:13; Jeremiah 16:7) or of ill (Psalms 75:8; John 18:11; Revelation 14:10). Here it is the cup of suffering.
And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptised with? (Compare, for the language, Psalms 42:7.) The object of this question seems to have been to try how far those two men were capable of the dignity to which they aspired; and this on the principle that he who is able to suffer most for His sake will be the nearest to Him in His kingdom.