John Calvin Commentary Matthew 20:23

"He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on [my] left hand, is not mine to give; but [it is for them] for whom it hath been prepared of my Father." — Matthew 20:23 (ASV)

You shall indeed drink my cup. As they were disciples, it was proper that they should be assimilated to their Master. Christ warns them of what will take place, that they may be prepared to endure it with patience; and, in the persons of two men, he addresses all his followers. For though many believers die a natural death, and without violence or shedding of blood, yet it is common to all of them, as Paul informs us (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), to be conformed to the image of Christ; and, therefore, during their whole life, they are sheep appointed to the slaughter (Romans 8:36).

Is not mine to give.⁶⁵⁸ By this reply Christ surrenders nothing, but only states that the Father had not assigned to him this office of appointing to each person his own particular place in the kingdom of heaven. He came, indeed, to bring all his people to eternal life; but we should consider it enough that the inheritance obtained by his blood awaits us.

As to the degree in which some individuals rise above others, it is not our business to inquire. God did not intend that it should be revealed to us by Christ, but that it should be reserved until the final revelation.

We have now ascertained Christ’s meaning. He does not here reason about his power, but only desires us to consider for what purpose he was sent by the Father, and what corresponds to his calling. Therefore, he distinguishes between the secret purpose of God and the nature of that teaching which had been entrusted to him.

It is a useful warning, so that we may learn to be wise with sobriety and not attempt to force our way into the hidden mysteries of God. More especially, we should not indulge excessive curiosity in our inquiries about the future state; for It has not yet appeared what we shall be, till God shall make us like himself (1 John 3:2).

It is also noteworthy that these words do not imply that there will be equality among the children of God after they have been admitted to the heavenly glory. Rather, to each is promised that degree of honor to which he has been set apart by the eternal purpose of God.

⁶⁵⁸ “Ce n’est pas a moy a le dormer;” — — “it does not belong to me to give it.”