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Observe here, 1. The ambitious suit and request of the two apostles, James and John, for dignity and superiority; Grant that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory or in thy kingdom.
Where observe, That by Christ's kingdom and glory, they understood an earthly, temporal kingdom: for of that sort the Jews did expect the kingdom of the Messiah should be, and the disciples themselves were tainted with the common errors.
Learn hence, That ambition and an inordinate desire of worldly wealth and dignity, is a sin very natural and incident to the best of men. Who can wonder to see some sparks of ambition in the holiest of God's ministers, when Christ's own apostles were not free from aspiring thoughts, even when they lay in the bosom of our Saviour?
Observe, 2. Both the unseasonableness and unreasonableness of this request made by James and John: Christ speaks of his sufferings to them, and they sue for dignity and great places from him: In optimis non nihil est pessimi. The holiest, the wisest, and the best of men, are not wholly free from passionate infirmities. Who could have thought, that when our Saviour had been preaching the doctrine of the cross to his disciples, that they should at the same time be seeking and suing to him for secular dignity and honour, pre-eminence and power! But the best of men are but men; none are in a state of perfection on this side heaven.
Observe, 3. Our Saviour's answer to his disciples' ambitious request, and the course which he takes, to cool their ambition; he tells them, they must expect here, not crowns on their heads, but a cross on their backs; they must first taste of his sufferings, before they partake of his glory; and they that suffer most for Christ, shall partake of the highest dignity and glory from him.
Observe, 4. The presumptuous confidence which the apostles had of their own strength and ability for sufferings: Are ye able, says Christ, to drink of my cup? We are able, say the disciples. Alas, poor men, when it came to the trial, they all cowardly forsook him and fled. Those that are least acquainted with suffering are usually the most confident undertakers. See note on Mat_20:22-23.