Suffering and Service

³⁵ James^(A) and John,^(B) the sons of Zebedee,^(C) approached him and said, “Teacher,^(D) we want you to do whatever 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.”^(E)

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

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.^{(J) 40} But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.^{(K) 42} Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over^(L) them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. ⁴³ But it is not so among you.^(M) On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant,^{(N) 44} and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.^{(O) 45} For even the Son of Man^(P) did not come to be served, but to serve,^(Q) and to give his life^(R) as a ransom^(S) for many.”^[a](T)

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 lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called^[a] ‘Benefactors.’ ²⁶ It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should 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)