Greatness Is Serving(A)

35 (B)Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the (C)cup that I drink, and be baptized with the (D)baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, (E)“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those (F)for whom it is prepared.”

41 (G)And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, (H)“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 (I)Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even (J)the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and (K)to give His life a ransom for many.”

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The Request of James and John(A)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”(B)

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,”(C) Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup(D) I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”(E)

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,(F) 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,(G) 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,(H) and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(I)

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