able) They did not even know sufficiently what they were an swering ; the Lord, however, bears with them, arid accepts their confession ;J cf. ch. xxvi. 39, 37.
23. Tb JAM Korqpiov, x.r.A., the cup indeed, etc.) This, together with the parallel passages, has been treated with singular in dustry by Thomas Gataker in his Adversaria Miscellanea, B. i. ch. 3, of which we shall take the chief points. — xadiffai, x.r.X., to sit, etc.) There will, therefore, clearly be some who will sit on the right and left hand of Christ. — «XX' o%, x.r.A , except to those for whom) By this opposition or exception (for it comes to the same thing) Jesus does not deny that it is His to give (see Rev. iii. 21), but limits and declares to whom He will give it, as well as the time and the order, referring, as is His wont, all things to the Father. Jesus did not give it until, His pas sion having been suffered and concluded,2 He had sat down Himself on the right hand of the Father. It is neither an earthly kingdom in which He gives it, nor does He give it to those who have not yet suffered. Under, therefore, the very appearance of a repulse, He gives a promise to James and John.
24. O/ dtxa, the ten) Amongst these was the candid Evangelist himself. — riyavdxrnffav, ivere indignant) They feared lest they should lose something 3 [i.e. lest James and John should gain something at their expense].
25. npoffxa'keadfjsivos avrovs, having called them to Him) They had been moved, therefore, with indignation when their Master was not present. He avowedly corrects them. — o'lbart, x.r.X., ye know, etc.) Therefore ye think that it will be the same in the kingdom of the Messiah. — xaraxvpnvouffiv [E. V. exercise dominion over] — Kars^ouaid^ouffiv [E. V. exercise authority upon] — In both these compound verbs the xara intensifies the signification (see S. V. of Gen. i. 28, and Ps. Ixxii. 8), and in this passage distin-
ing to the Kingdom at once, whereas He was dwelling on the intermediate Passion : He therefore urges them to follow after Him, not to take the lead of Him, and to bear the Cross of His followers before receiving the Crown, —ED.
1 Intending subsequently to perfect in them those things, which at that time were above their own comprehension. — V. g.
2 ' Exantlata,' ' having been drained to the dregs.' — (I.E.)
3 Luke records a similar dispute as having arisen at the Last Supper, ch. xxii. 24. — Harm.,]). 433.