Mark 10:33-45
There come near unto him James and John ( κα προσπορευοντα Ιακωβος κα Ιωανης ). Dramatic present tense. Matthew has τοτε, then, showing that the request of the two brothers with their mother (Mt 20:20) comes immediately after the talk about Christ's death.We would ( θελομεν ). We wish, we want, bluntly told.
She came worshipping ( προσκυνουσα ) Matthew says. The mother spoke for the sons. But they try to commit Jesus to their desires before they tell what they are, just like spoiled children.
In thy glory ( εν τη δοξη ). Mt 20:21 has "in thy kingdom." See on Mt 20:20 for the literal interpretation of Mt 19:28. They are looking for a grand Jewish world empire with apocalyptic features in the eschatological culmination of the Messiah's kingdom. That dream brushed aside all the talk of Jesus about his death and resurrection as mere pessimism.
Or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with ( η το βαπτισμα ο εγω βαπτιζομα βαπτισθηνα ). Cognate accusative with both passive verbs. Mt 20:22 has only the cup, but Mark has both the cup and the baptism, both referring to death. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane will refer to his death again as "the cup" (Mr 14:36; Mt 26:39; Lu 22:42). He had already used baptism as a figure for his death (Lu 12:50). Paul will use it several times (1Co 15:29; Ro 6:3-6; Col 2:12).
See on Mt 20:23-28 for discussion on these memorable verses (39-45) identical in both Matthew and Mark. In particular in verse 45 note the language of Jesus concerning his death as "a ransom for many" ( λυτρον αντ πολλων ), words of the Master that were not understood by the apostles when spoken by Jesus and which have been preserved for us by Peter through Mark. Some today seek to empty these words of all real meaning as if Jesus could not have or hold such a conception concerning his death for sinners.
See on 39
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