NOTES for Mat 20:17-34
Jesus is heading to Jerusalem, where His Kingdom is to be fulfilled in its fullness. And the disciples are ready, as those close to Him, to share with Him the glory due to Him. They are ready to recline beside Him at the meal, after first performing the ritual washing together with Him, and to drink from His royal cup. But He stops them: they have no idea into what depth He must descend or what cup He must drink.
These lines of the Gospel were written not only to describe the apostles' lack of understanding and their ambition. They were addressed, and are addressed now, to the new disciples of Christ who are just as ready to share with Him the promised triumph, but do not want to remember that the Kingdom of God is realized paradoxically: in service and self-sacrifice. The Son of God came into this world to serve. What did we come here for?