Matthew 20:22 web — But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be…

World English Bible

"But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able.""

— Matthew 20:22, World English Bible

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Matthew 20:22 in Other Translations

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Matthew 20 — Context

19

and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up."

20

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.

21

He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom."

22

But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."

23

He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

24

When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.

25

But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20:22 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 20:22 say?
Matthew 20:22 in the World English Bible reads: “But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."”
Where is Matthew 20:22 in the Bible?
Matthew 20:22 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 20, verse 22.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 20:22.
What translation should I read Matthew 20:22 in?
Matthew 20:22 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 20:22?
Matthew 20:22 reads (WEB): “But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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