Mark 10:38-40

[38] But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? [39] And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal [40] But to sit on right hand on left hand not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

What is the context of Mark 10:38-40?

The Request of James and John (Mark 10:35-45 true)
The Request of James and John .( AN .) (Mark 10:35-45 true)
A Request by James and John (Mark 10:35-45 true)
Greatness Is Serving (Mark 10:35-45 true)
Suffering and Service (Mark 10:35-45 true)
Jesus Teaches about Serving Others (Mark 10:35-45 true)
Jesus’ Sufferings Foretold (Mark 10:32-45 true)

What does Mark 10:38-40 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Those who share Jesus" honor in the kingdom must also share His sufferings in this age. The cup often is a symbol of trouble and suffering in the Old Testament ( Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-28; Jeremiah 49:12; Jeremiah 51:7; Ezekiel 23:31-34; Habakkuk 2:16; Zechariah 12:2). Likewise baptism, being under water, pictures inundation with trouble ( Job 22:11; Psalm 18:16; Psalm 69:1-2; Psalm 69:15; Isaiah 43:2).

James and John confidently affirmed that they could endure all the trouble and suffering that Jesus might have to endure because they had not understood what He had predicted about His passion. They would indeed experience a measure of suffering themselves as Jesus" disciples but not as much as Jesus would have to endure. James was the first apostle to experience martyrdom ( Acts 12:2), and John may have been the last. ^[1] However, God the Father would determine who would receive the positions of authority and honor in the messianic kingdom (cf. Matthew 20:23).