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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_20:20-23
20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." 22But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father."
Mat_20:20 "the mother of the sons of Zebedee" From Mar_10:35 we learn that James and John were also active in this request. When one compares Mat_27:56 with Mar_15:40 and Joh_19:25 it is quite possible that Salome, Zebedee's wife, was the sister of Jesus' mother.
▣ "bowing down" This was not an act of worship but an act of selfish family ambition. How often do Christians kneel before God just to get what they want? They try to trade faith for favors (cf. Job_1:9-11)!
▣ "making a request of Him" Mark records "do for us whatever we ask of you." This sounds like the request of an immature child.
Mat_20:21 "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left" Every time Jesus tried to discuss His death, the disciples began to argue over who was greatest. This shows a fundamental misunderstanding not only of the person and work of Christ, but of the Messianic kingdom (cf. Luk_18:34).
Mat_20:22 "but Jesus answered, 'You'" The "you" of Mat_20:21 is singular, addressing the mother, but in Mat_20:22 it is plural, addressing James and John.
▣ "Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink" The term "cup" was used in Ugaritic literature to mean destiny. In the Bible, however, it seems to mean the experiences of life whether good or evil. It was usually used in the sense of judgment (cf. Psa_75:8; Isa_51:17-23; Jer_25:15-28; Jer_49:12; Jer_51:7; Lam_4:21-22; Eze_22:31-31; Hab_2:16; Zec_12:2; Rev_14:10; Rev_16:19; Rev_17:4; Rev_18:6). However, it was also mentioned in a few passages as blessings (cf. Psa_16:5; Psa_23:5; Psa_116:13; Jer_16:7).
The added phrase found in the King James Version (KJV) referring to Jesus' baptism is simply not a part of the original Greek text of Matthew, nor the ancient Latin, Syriac, or Coptic translations. It came from Mar_10:38 and Luk_12:50, which was later inserted into Matthew by copyists as is the same addition in Mat_20:23. The UBS4 rates their exclusion as "A" (certain).
Mat_20:23 "My cup you shall drink" James was the first martyr of the apostolic band (cf. Act_12:2). John lived long enough to be exiled by the Roman government to Patmos (Rev_1:9) and died of old age in Ephesus (according to church tradition).
The KJV adds a phrase, "and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with," but it is an addition from Mar_10:39. Scribes tended to make the Gospels parallel!
▣ "for whom it has been prepared by My Father" This is perfect passive indicative. Here is another example of Jesus' submission to the Father's will and purpose. The Father is in control of all things (cf. 1Co_15:27-28).