20:23a

You will indeed drink My cup: In Greek, this clause includes the word indeed, a word that the some versions do not translate. In this context, this word affirms the truth of this statement. The next clause (20:23b) is matched to it and gives a contrasting idea.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

You will indeed drink from my bitter cup (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You certainly will drink from my cup! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

It is true that you will suffer like I will soon suffer

drink My cup: As in 20:22b, the word cup represents suffering. The phrase My cup refers to the suffering that Jesus was going to experience in Jerusalem.

You should translate the expression drink My cup in a similar way to 20:22b.

20:23b

But: There is a contrast between 20:23a and 20:23b–c. James and John would certainly suffer like Jesus (20:23a). But that does not mean that they will have the places of honor (20:23b–c) next to him.

The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

to sit at My right or left: As in 20:21c, the phrase right or left means “left side or right side.” The left and right sides of a king were positions of honor.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

as for who sits on my right and left
-or-
the person will sit on my right side and left side

In some languages, it is more natural to put this clause after “is not Mine to grant.” See the Display for an example.

is not Mine to grant: In Greek, this clause is more literally “this is not mine to give.” Jesus implied that he did not have the authority to give those positions of honor to anyone.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not have permission to give
-or-
I do not have the authority to say who
-or-
I have no right to say who (New Living Translation (2004))

20:23c

There is a contrast here. The contrast is between a negative clause (in 20:23b) and a positive clause here in 20:23c. The negative clause is “to sit at My right…is not Mine to grant.” The positive clause is “These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.” Languages have different ways to indicate this negative-positive type of contrast. Here are some of the ways:

• With the conjunction “but.”

• With a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of contrast. For example:

Rather (NET Bible)
-or-
on the contrary
-or-
Instead

• With no conjunction. For example:

These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father. (New International Version)

These seats belong to those: The Berean Standard Bible has added the words These seats belong. These words are not in Greek. The Berean Standard Bible has added them to make the sentence more natural in English.

The English Standard Version expresses a similar idea by adding “it is for those,” probably using the singular word “it” to refer to the role or function that the two brothers wanted to have in the kingdom. It is also possible to use a plural word. For example:

Those places belong to those (New International Version)
-or-
Those seats are for those people

for whom My Father has prepared them: This clause means that the Father has already decided who will sit on the right and left side of Jesus. He has already prepared that role/function for certain people. He has already made ready those places for people whom he has chosen.

In the Greek this clause is a passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

for whom they have been prepared by my Father (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

for whom my Father has prepared them (Good News Translation)
-or-
My Father has already prepared these positions for certain people. (God’s Word)

-or-

My Father has already decided who will sit in those places.

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