Section 101

101.
FORETELLING HIS PASSION. REBUKING
AMBITION.
(Peræa, or Judea, near the Jordan.)
MATT. 20:17-28
MARK 10: 32-45
LUKE 18:. 31-34

Summary:
Jesus heads toward Jerusalem, and the disciples are afraid.  He pulls aside his twelve disciples and explained his suffering, death, and ultimate resurrection.  They don't understand what he was predicting and only did so much later in retrospect as their understanding of his role and position was ruling over an earthly kingdom.

John and James' mom (Salome) approaches Jesus and asks that he would grant their request.  Jesus indulges them in the conversation and asks what the request is.   Salome wants one of her sons to sit on the left side of Jesus and the other on the right.

The Fourfold Gospel points out that this thought probably initiated from Jesus' reply to Peter in Matthew 19 after the rich young ruler rejects the opportunity to follow him. Jesus predicted that in the "new world," he would rule on a throne and the twelve disciples would sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

Christ corrects their understanding with a question--"Can you drink the cup I will drink?"

"The word "cup" among the Hebrews meant a portion assigned (Ps. 16:5; 23:5), whether of pleasure or of sorrow. But the idea of sorrow usually predominated (Matt. 26:39, 42; Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 18:6; Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15). -Fourfold

 To be baptized with suffering means to be overwhelmed with it, a metaphorical use of the word arising from the fact that it means an immersion. "-Fourfold

 James was the first disciple martyred (Acts 12:2) and John was persecuted throughout his lifetime.

Jesus clarifies that the greatest among them shall minister to others and the least will be a servant to all.

"In an earthly kingdom honor and authority measure greatness, but in Christ's kingdom it is measured by humility and service." -Fourfold