But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. (Matthew 20:22)
Literally, “ye ask for yourselves.” The use of the plural “ye” makes it evident that James and John had also spoken on their own behalf (see on v. 20).
We are able.
James was the first of the Twelve to become a martyr (see Acts 12:2), but his brother John outlived all the other disciples (see AA 542, 569).
Be baptized.
Gr. baptizō. See on ch. 3:6. Here it is obvious that the word is used figuratively. As the “cup” stands for the sufferings of Jesus, “baptism” stands for His death (see Rom. 6:3, 4; see on Luke 12:50).