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April 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
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J International £esson (Commentary j j Jdesson O utline a n d (Exposition ¿Blackboard O utlines § o ld e n Raext Illustrations Q hildren’s ¿Division ¿By (J. §. ¿jmle.rquint righteously and showed .no favoritism. Right hand . . . left hand. Their con ception was of an earthly kingdom and,of honors in that kingdom. It is difficult to say whether the mother or the sons were the most to blame for this ambition. It is idle to speculate. It is evident that they sought, by unfair means, to obtain the two highest places in the Kingdom, where they could “lord it over” their brethren. It may be that Jesus’ reference to twelve thrones, one for each of His disciples (19:28), had been made that very same day, and that it drove from their minds any lingering impression that had come through the announcement of His ap proaching death. They were very slow to see the spiritual nature of Christ’s king dom (cf. Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6). It may be, too, that because they, with Peter, had already had special honors and privileges, they imagined this assured them of special privilege in the Kingdom. V. 22. Ye know not. They were ig norant of God’s way, which makes suffer ing the way to glory (Rom. 8 :17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21). The cup. A symbol of suffering (cf. John 18:11; Psa. 75:8). Be baptized. That is, be- plunged, sub merged, in suffering (note that this ex pression is omitted in the Revised Ver sion). We are able. Had they really got the martyr spirit? It is more likely that they were impulsive like Peter, their fel low disciple, who declared his readiness to go to prison and to judgment for his Master. V. 23. My cup . . .. ye shall drink. This was literally fulfilled. * James was the first Christian martyr of whom we have record (Acts 12:2). John had'd!:liv ing martyrdom for many years (Rev. 1: 9). Tradition mentions John’s drinking poison and being burned in a pot of oil, but this cannot be accounted reliable his tory. Not mine to give. Perhaps this is meant to illustrate the subordination of Jesus to the Father—an attitude often accepted and referred to by H im ; or it may mean: “This favor is not mine to give as a personal favor on the ground of favoritism—it must be earned.”; The Fa ther has already arranged the program of rewards in the Kingdom. V. 24. The ten heard. They had not been present at the interview. Why were they angry? Any two of them, under similar circumstances, would have acted in the same way. Indignation concerning. Not anger against the two disciples per sonally so much as indignation about their conduct in the matter, their doing the thing secretly, using a woman and a relative, trying to exact a promise by stealth, etc. V. 25. Jesus called them. They did not quarrel in His presence, perhaps for very shame. Gentiles lord it ■ over them. They do not merely rule, they are autocratic, despotic. Note previous references to Gentiles; they seek material good (6:32) ; they use vain repetitions in prayer (6:7) H eart of t h e L esso n I. Cross and Resurrection Predicted (17-19). V. 17. Going up to Jerusalem. From Perea. Mark (10:32) says that His fol lowers were “amazed,” and “afraid.” Their amazement and fear may have.been May 4, 1930 Promotion in th e Kingdom Lesson: Matthew 19 :30-20:28. (Lesson Text: Matt. 20:17-28.) Golden Text: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28), * * * L esso n in O u t l in e I. Cross and Resurrection Predicted (17-19). 1. The place—Jerusalem. 2. The accusers—priests, scribes. M The executioners—Gentiles. 4. The conquest of death. II. Advancement in the Kingdom (20- 27). 1. Ambitious request for power (20- M 2. The challenge—“Are ye able?” ( 22 ). 3. The prophecy—“Ye shall drink” (23). 4. The anger of the ten (24). 5. Two ideas of greatness (25-27). a. Among Gentiles—“lord it over.” b. Among disciples—serve. III. Jesus the Servant and Sufferer (28). * * * A pproach to t h e L esso n ■pOR the: third time Jestis foretells His death and resurrection! The two pre ceding occasions recorded by Matthew were just before and just after the Transfiguration (16:21; 17:22), at least six months earlier than the occasion of the present lesson. It may be that He had spoken in a similar manner at other times also. There is a'hint in Luke (12:49-53) that His mind, throughout this period, was full of the coming baptism of suf fering. As we have seen in previous lessons, the disciples were slow to catch His meaning. It is not to be wondered at when we re call that the prevailing idea of Messiah’s kingdom wholly omitted any thought of His suffering and death. The many warn ings and object lessons that Jesus had given them fell on dull ears, while the disciples grasped greedily at the idea of their honor and power in the Kingdom (cf. 19:28). While this may account for the rivalry among the disciples, and the desire on the part of each for the high est place of honor, it does not rexcuse them. They were fully convinced that Jesus was the Messiah; they were not led into the clearer light concerning the true nature of His kingdom until after His death and resurrection. due to their failure to appreciate . H i s m e a n i n g in His hints that they, too, were to make sac rifices (19 :29-30) ; but perhaps it was more due to the evident determina tion of Jesus to go to Jerusalem in spite of the dangers He foretold. Twelve dis ciples apart. That is, apart froifi the crowds of pilgrims who were traveling along the same road, on the way to the Passover at Jerusalem. Vs. 18-19. We go up. The disciples are included with Himself, but with what dif ferent ideas and anticipations they trav eled!. Jesus was moving steadfastly to ward the Cross ; the dis.ciples still hoped for crowns. Shall condemn him. It is well here to note the differences between this and the previous predictions of the Cross. In the first (16:21), Jesus fore told that He was to suffer many things; here the “many things” are given in greater detail. He is to be mocked, scourged, crucified. It is the Jews who condemn; the Gentiles scourge and cru cify, for the Roman rulers reserved the right of capital punishment. In the sec ond prediction (17:22), He states that He is to be betrayed into the hands of men; here these “men” are priests, scribes, Gentiles. Shall be raised up. The prediction of His resurrection had been given to His enemies (John 2:19; Matt. 12:40), but not distinctly; to His disci ples He spoke openly (16:21; 17:9, 23; 26:32). This should have cheered the dis ciples, but they could not take it in. II. Advancement in the. Kingdom (20- 27). V. 20, Then came. Not necessarily im mediately after the announcement of His coming death, but certainly too soon. Mother of Zebedee’s children. Many think she was a sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. If so, this explains her boldness in approaching Jesus and making such an ambitious request for her sons. The in terview was probably private (cf. v. 24). Worshiping. As often elsewhere, this ap parently means paying homage, such as is given to a king. Asking a certain thing. Mark (10:35) makes their attitude more clear in the words, “We would that thou wouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.” That is, they sought to get His assent before they told what they de sired—a, very presumptuous proposition. V. 21. What wouldest thou? Jesus did hot commit Himself in advance. He dealt
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