The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 278

from them, neither knew they the things bably they interpreted the unintelligible which were spoken." resurrection to mean the establishment of Vere, 20-28.-.dmbilious reque,t of t1"J the kingdom of Messiah (Luke xix. 11 ). If this waa imminent, no time was to be lost mother of the 1001 of Zebedee. (Mark x. 35-- in making their claims known. So thought 45,) the "sons of thunder," a.nd acted with Ver. 20.-Then. The incident seems to energy and ha.ate. have arisen from the promise of the twelve Ver. 22.-Ye know not what ye uk. thrones in eh, xix. 28, and is significant e.s Jeane addressee, not the mother, but the two showing how utterly misunderstood was the brothers who had prompted and virtually true nature of the Messio.nio kingdom. The made the request. They indeed merited a mother of Zebedee'a ohildren. The mother rebuke for their preposterous demand; bnt of James and John was named Salome the Saviour deals mildly with them. They (eh. xxvii. 56 compared with Mark xv. 40; had spoken ignorantly, perhaps fancying xvi. 1); she had left her husband Zebedee tho.t some favoar might be shown to them (Mark i. 20) in Galilee (unless, e.s is more on the ground of their relationship to the probable from the terms in which she is Virgin Mary, or because of their nearness introduced, he we.a now dead), e.nd followed to J esue, and certainly not in the least Jesus in the be.nd of holy women who at- realizing the nature of the kingdom, the tended on him e.nd ministered to him of their qualifications of its inheritors, or the difficul- substance. Some have thought that she ties that have to be surmounted by those wo.s the sister of the Virgin Mary, so inter- who would win eminent positions therein. preting John xix. 25. St. Mark makes Things that we deem most desirable would the two apostles present their own request; often be the very worst for our spiritaal pro- and · doubtless they put their mother for- gress; and in praying for really good things, ward, coming with her to the presence we are apt to forget to count the cost we of Jesus, and using her agency in this must pay for their attainment. Jesu.s sets somewhat delicate matter. Our evange- before the ambitious brethren the obstacles list we.a present on the occasion, [and his that would meet them. Are ye able to drink precision may be relied on in this detail. of the cup l Joy and sorrow, blessing and Worshipping him. Making the customary affliction, in Holy Scripture e.re often de- prostration before a superior. A oertain noted under the metaphor of a cap (comp. thing(.,.,), She did not at first make any Ps. xi. 6 ; niii 5 ; Isa. li J 7 ; J er. xxv. definite request, but endeavoured to get 15). Here the cup signifies the internal, Jesus to promise to grant her what she asked. mental, and spiritual su11'erings which Christ According to St. Mark, the sons say plainly, endured (eh. :uvi. 39, 42). That I shall "We would that thou shouldest do for us drink of; & ,.,,r:, µ.b,Aoo -rlvflv: tohich I am whatever we shall desire." Thus Bathsheba ab11Ut to drink; or am purposing to drink. addressed David, "I desire one small peti- Christ expresses hie voluntary intention of tion of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay" suffering bitterly, and asks if they e.re pre- (1 Kings ii. 20). Salome is plainly intend- pared to do the eame. To be baptized, etc. ing to ask some great thing. The baptism is significant of the external Ver. 21.-What wilt thou 1 Jesus will pains and persecutions, in the ·sea of which make no unconditional promise; he compels he was to be sunk (comp. Ps. lxi.x. 2, 15). her to formulate her petition. Grant; ''"': The cup and the baptism adumbrate the command. These my two sons. She points two sacraments by which we are ma.de one to them, as they stood or knelt behind her. with Christ. Mo.ny of the best manuscripts., May sit , , , in thy kingdom. The right the Vnlgate and other versions, omit this and left hand would be the places occupied last clause, and the corresponding one in by those next to the sovereign in dignity the following verse; and many modern and consideration. There is here no thought editors, with the Revised Version, expunge of St. Peter's pre-eminence ( C'Jmp. 1 Kings ii. it also. It is supposed to have been intro- 19; 2Chron.xviii.18; Ps.xlv.9; ox.I). The duced from the parallel p3asage in St. Mark. petition was urged at this moment, because There it is undoubtedly genuine; so we have it was felt that a great crisis was at hand. good warrant to believe that our Lord spoke This visit to Jerusalemmnsthavemomentous the words, whether St. Mo.tthew reo.lly re- re8ults; heri, Jesus was about to set up hie ported them or not. We are able. They throne ; now was the moment to ee.oure the came forward now o.nd answered in sim- hi""hcst plo.cee in hie court. Ho had an- plicity, not understanding that to which no~mced his death ; he had also a.nnounoed they pledged themselvos. They loved their his glory ; they balanced one cleclarntion Master, they knew that trials awaited him. ago.inst the othPr, o.nd seized on thnt which and they were willing to share his lot. Ere was most consonant to their nationnl preju- long they were put to the proof, and in the dices and their own o.mbitioue views. Pro- end came out victorious,  282 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [en. xx. 1-34.