Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 10:39-40

"And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand or on [my] left hand is not mine to give; but [it is for them] for whom it hath been prepared." — Mark 10:39-40 (ASV)

And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

They are not content, you see, with being ambitious themselves: they would fire him with ambition – that humble, lowly servant of God, who had laid aside for a while the power to distribute crowns and thrones. But he does not forget himself, nor the position which he had taken up in relation to the Father, but said, It is not mine to give.