²³耶稣说 ：我 所喝的杯 ，你们必要 喝 ；只是 坐 在 我的 左 右 ，不 是 我 可以赐 的，乃是 我 父 为谁 预备 的，就赐给谁。

²³ And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

²³ Verse 23. Is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them

for whom it is prepared of my Father.] The common translation, in

which the words, it shall be given to them; are interpolated by

our translators, utterly changes and destroys the meaning of the

passage. It represents Christ (in opposition to the whole

Scriptures) as having nothing to do in the dispensing of rewards

and punishments; whereas, our Lord only intimates that, however

partial he may be to these two brethren, yet seats in glory can

only be given to those who are fitted for them. No favour can

prevail here; the elevated seat is for him who is filled with the

fulness of God. The true construction of the words is this:-ουκ

εστινεμονδουναιαλλοιςητοιμυσταιυποτουατροςμου, To sit

on my right hand and on my left, is not mine to give, except to

them for whom it is prepared of my Father. According to the

prediction of Christ, these brethren did partake of his

afflictions: James was martyred by Herod, Ac 12:2; and

John was banished to Patmos, for the testimony of Christ,

Re 1:9.