NOTES for Mat 20:22
Jesus is heading to Jerusalem, where His Kingdom must be brought to fulfillment. And the disciples are ready, as those close to Him, to share with Him the glory that belongs to Him: they are ready to recline beside Him at the meal, after first performing a shared ritual washing, and to drink from His royal cup. But He stops them: they have no idea into what depth He is about to be plunged and what cup He is about to drink.
These lines of the Gospel were written not only to show the apostles’ lack of understanding and ambition; they were addressed, and are addressed today, to 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 established in service and self-sacrifice. For the Son of God came into this world to serve. And why have we come here?