Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 10:39

"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:" — Mark 10:39 (ASV)

With a confident “We can,” the disciples answered Jesus’ question about going through the suffering of his passion. How naive! James and John failed to understand what was involved in Jesus’ sufferings, though they would indeed participate in them. But to grant them privileged positions in his kingdom was not within his authority. Jesus refused to usurp the authority of his Father.