If John 6 is speaking of the eucharist, how can non Catholics be saved?

[benhur]

What you mean is, they were Believers, and then when Jesus said something that was a “hard saying”, they left. They were the ones who, like you, said “Jesus could not really be telling us to eat his body. And if he is, then we’re out of here!”

Hi PR,

No, for they were unbelievers “from the beginning” per the words of Jesus. Back in Ch2 or 3 Jesus also alludes to this false following. They were unbelievers way before this discourse in Ch 6.

“For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe,” vs 64

Blessings

 

[PRmerger]

Hi PR,

No, for they were unbelievers “from the beginning” per the words of Jesus. Back in Ch2 or 3 Jesus also alludes to this false following. They were unbelievers way before this discourse in Ch 6.

“For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe,” vs 64

Blessings

Ah, very good then.

So it was the hard saying of Jesus that pushed them over the edge.

 

[rcwitness]

Hi PR,

No, for they were unbelievers “from the beginning” per the words of Jesus. Back in Ch2 or 3 Jesus also alludes to this false following. They were unbelievers way before this discourse in Ch 6.

“For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe,” vs 64

Blessings

I am really wanting some time to write a post with all these thoughts in my mind now and then! I need a good amount of time to focus it all out.

This is kinda true, right? After all, they were followers and disciples of Him. They believed and saw miracles! But they were not able to make the leap of faith that Christ demanded.

He wants us to believe without seeing, and He controlled the masses which were making His mission/ministry unproductive. They wanted to make Him a king. But they did not accept His lead. He gave this very deep, profound Teaching which none of them understood. Even His own 12. Yet they had the faith and belief that kept them trusting He would provide.

 

[JMM1957]

Hi PR,

No, for they were unbelievers “from the beginning” per the words of Jesus. Back in Ch2 or 3 Jesus also alludes to this false following. They were unbelievers way before this discourse in Ch 6.

“For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe,” vs 64

Blessings

Of course Jesus knew the ones who would disbelieve ahead of time, as Scripture indicated, He was the Son of God. But that does not change anything, they understood it literally, they considered it a “hard saying” and left him, but I don’t think they left just because of that one “hard saying” either, there must have been a deeper unbelief among them also, but this was the tipping point. Catholics take it literally too, but we are believers, not disbelievers, we’re not leaving Him, “to whom shall we go?” As you pointed out in an earlier post, and I agree, the Apostles and some other disciples probably didn’t comprehend what Jesus was alluding to with eating His flesh and blood, but they stayed and believed. They trusted Him, they didn’t think He was a lunatic as some did.

 

[Michael68]

All I can say is, it must have been a terrible time in history to have been a devout Catholic. Even with all the abuses that were going on, especially in Church leadership, its still hard to figure how Luther and others saw fit to completely separate from the Church. I realize that the history books say Luther’s original intent was not to form a separate Church, but do we really know every thought that went through his mind, I think not. The fact that he was an ordained priest or monk tells me at some point in his life he believed in the Church as the true Church. But throwing out the baby with the bath water because you were primarily upset with the abuses associated with the selling of indulgences, somehow seems suspect to me. Anyway, I apologize for getting off topic a bit.

Thank you for this!!! My feelings are pretty much the same. I watched the “movie” called Luther at the urging of some of my protestant friend. I had the same feeling through the movie that he wasn’t mad at the Church, but the leaders of the Church. I can understand how this could be misunderstood as a change in doctrine. It is fairly easy to see how a person’s faith can be shaken by witnessing terrible things by “Godly” men.
But none of the evils of man have been able to challenge the “the deposit of faith” left to the Apostles, then to us! The deposit of faith has not changed!

 

[rcwitness]

Of course Jesus knew the ones who would disbelieve ahead of time, as Scripture indicated, He was the Son of God. But that does not change anything, they understood it literally, they considered it a “hard saying” and left him, but I don’t think they left just because of that one “hard saying” either, there must have been a deeper unbelief among them also, but this was the tipping point. Catholics take it literally too, but we are believers, not disbelievers, we’re not leaving Him, “to whom shall we go?” As you pointed out in an earlier post, and I agree, the Apostles and some other disciples probably didn’t comprehend what Jesus was alluding to with eating His flesh and blood, but they stayed and believed. They trusted Him, they didn’t think He was a lunatic as some did.

It’s kinda like there started to develop a mega church. Jesus knew that there were many luke warm believers. They wanted to make Him their mega church pastor. This was very against Jesus’ mission and purpose for coming in the flesh.

The thing that no one (the unbelievers or the disciples who stayed) understood was Jesus’ reference to His death. And not just an unfortunate death, but the gift of salvation through His death!

But those who stayed were represented by our first pastor, Peter, who wanted to have Jesus with Him always. And he believed that Jesus would provide eternal life for us by staying with Him.

 

[PJM]

=Chaddicus Finch;13202616]I’ve asked this question twice on the “ask an apologist” forum but apparently it doesn’t qualify, so I figured I’d ask it here.

I am about to start RCIA after being a protestant for 18 years (and grown up my entire life in protestant churches). This was one question I had regarding what seems like conflicting church teaching and talking to one of my protestant friends about me converting, he asked the same question.

In John 6, Jesus says:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father has sent me and I live because of the Father, so also whoever eats me, the same shall live because of me. This is the bread that descends from heaven. It is not like the manna that your fathers ate, for they died. Whoever eats this bread shall live forever.”

If this is to be taken as the eucharist, how can non Catholics be saved since they cannot partake of his body and blood?

“If John 6 is speaking of the Eucharist; how can Protestants be saved

I am about to start RCIA after being a protestant for 18 years (and grown up my entire life in protestant churches). This was one question I had regarding what seems like conflicting church teaching and talking to one of my protestant friends about me converting, he asked the same question.

In John 6, Jesus says:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

First of all WELCOME to CAF!

Thanks for the question.
You ask a very complex and profound question.

1st let me assure you that John 6 [Termed the “Bread of Life” Discourse] is indeed speaking of Christ very Real Presence in Catholic Holy Communion.[Eucharist]
This is also testified to by FOUR additional New Testament Authors; immediate implementation after Christ Resurrection, and even Eucharistic Miracles.

**Mt 26: 26-28

Mk 14: 21-24

Lk. 22: 17-19

All of John 6 but especially 6: 47-62 AND verse’s 51-52 & 56**

The reason “they don’t get it” is a combination of limited graces being offered to them by Jesus; and frankly; hardened minds and hearts. They choose rather to accept mortal man’s limitations; we can’t see Him, and therefore He MUST NOT be there. It’s a Grace-Faith problem.

Undoubly their salvation is much more difficult; but it is still possible; on a very and precisely set of defined conditions.

From our Catholic Catechism

CCC #846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.

CCC#847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

To summarize this: Humanities choice of Eternal Hell or Heaven is OUR OWN to make. God merely affirms our own life choices in His Judgment.”

Expressed differently: True- Ignorance is Bliss. Having NO culpable ignorance; God then requires of Himself to make judgment based on essentially the degree charity their lives reflect.

So those non-Catholics who troll this site could well be considered ineligible; based on opportunity to know the truth; NEVER based on one’s personal choices to deny the TRUTH, because that is a personal freewill decision.

So while the God- the Holy Spirt alone can make the judgment; God’s grace which is needed to acquire True Faith, in any degree, can be, and often is denied. That too could be seen by God as culpable [self-inflicted] ignorance.

Heb.6: 10 “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.”

**Rev.2: 23 **“and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.”

What we can be assured of is that God commits Himself to OFFER “sufficient grace” to every human being to Know God and then to willingly love, obey and serve Him.
Isaiah 43 Verses 7 & 21 “And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, and made him. & This people have I formed for myself, Genesis 1: 26-27] they shall shew forth my praise.”
God Bless you,

Patrick

 

[benhur]

Ah, very good then.

So it was the hard saying of Jesus that pushed them over the edge.

Yes, as planned. Out of love and desire for the needed change ,Christ graciously bursts any false hope, false following , false assumptions even strongholds so that maybe there is room for Truth and Spirit. Even Peter had to be broken from wrongly saying the Lord would not suffer death, making room for Peter becoming a true shepherd himself.

Blessings

 

[benhur]

Of course Jesus knew the ones who would disbelieve ahead of time, as Scripture indicated, He was the Son of God. But that does not change anything, they understood it literally, they considered it a “hard saying” and left him, but I don’t think they left just because of that one “hard saying” either, there must have been a deeper unbelief among them also, but this was the tipping point. Catholics take it literally too, but we are believers, not disbelievers, we’re not leaving Him, “to whom shall we go?” As you pointed out in an earlier post, and I agree, the Apostles and some other disciples probably didn’t comprehend what Jesus was alluding to with eating His flesh and blood, but they stayed and believed. They trusted Him, they didn’t think He was a lunatic as some did.

OK. Pretty much on the same page. I would add that Christ knowing ahead of time men’s hearts, down to the individual, did change things. Christ taylored His words and actions quite precisely and premeditated, to meet the need of the moment, with truth, and love, and justice, and wisdom. He wishes that none perish. Hot or cold is what He likes. So the hyperbole on the eating certainly shook the false followers free to leave, as you say, from His now apparent lunacy. The same planned eating words brought out the diamond of faith from those who truly followed, as uttered by Peter. Two birds with one stone.

Blessings

 

[benhur]

I am really wanting some time to write a post with all these thoughts in my mind now and then! I need a good amount of time to focus it all out.

This is kinda true, right? After all, they were followers and disciples of Him. They believed and saw miracles! But they were not able to make the leap of faith that Christ demanded.

He wants us to believe without seeing, and He controlled the masses which were making His mission/ministry unproductive. They wanted to make Him a king. But they did not accept His lead. He gave this very deep, profound Teaching which none of them understood. Even His own 12. Yet they had the faith and belief that kept them trusting He would provide.

Hi rc,

Thanks for sharing. Yes, remember also one of the temptations in the wilderness. I believe Satan offered Him a way to win the hearts and allegiance of all men, to make Him king (before His planned time, like without Calvary also). Just bow to Satan , or ally with him (just don’t go to Calvary). This is the backdrop for false followers, and Judas, or even Satan thru Peter saying Christ would not die (go to Calvary).

Blessings

 

[rcwitness]

This post is dedicated to benhur and Kliska, who I admire for fellowshipping with us, and all non-Catholic brothers and sisters.

John 6 begins with the feeding of the 5 thousand.

“Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to Him… ‘make the people sit down’… Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated… when they had eaten, He told His disciples, ‘gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.’ They gathered twelve baskets of* loaves.”

This is the sign of what was to come in the Sacramental feast of His Eucharist. This was symbolic only. It’s purpose was to feed their bellies but also to show His power and a sign of what was to come. The people were gathered to hear Jesus! Notice the twelve baskets represent the Apostles who were given the ministry of the Eucharist!

Next we have Jesus coming to the disciples in the boat.

“When the evening came, His disciples … got into a boat, and started across the sea. It was dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose… they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat… Then they were glad to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

Here are more metaphors. The boat is the Church, but before He gave them His blessed Sacrament (Himself), for it was dark. The sea and wind is the world and it’s troubles. Jesus comes to them over the waters, they took Him into the boat and the boat is brought to where they were going. The Church is going to heaven and Jesus brings her there by entering into her.

“…when the people saw Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they got into boats and went seeking Jesus.”

He confronts them right away because they did not see the signs, but because they filled their bellies. They were not concerned about heavenly wisdom, but earthly wisdom.

“labor… for the food which endures to eternal life which the Son of man will give, for on Him God the Father set His seal.”

At this point He is referring to the Word of God as Teaching.

"Then they said to Him, ‘What must we do to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’ "

He is confronting them further. He is demanding that they believe and trust that He is the Son of God and follow Him as they follow God.

“Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you?”

This is where they get crafty! They were already shown signs. They are actually asking to see without believing. They are not listening to the Father’s Word in Jesus.

" ‘What work do you perform? Our father’s ate the manna’… Jesus said, ‘it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to Him, ‘Lord give us this bread always.’ "

Again, they are asking for miracles to believe, instead of believing because of His words. Jesus reiterates that the Bread which gives life to the world comes from* from heaven.

*"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirsty.*But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.**All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.*For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;*and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.*For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

He explains that they have “seen” Him and do not believe. Belief in Jesus, who “see” Him is the will of the Father. And here is an important thing also, that none should be LOST who the father gives…

Continued

 

[rcwitness]

to him. I believe this refers to “remaining in Him”. It’s not a Once Saved Always Saved faith, but a steadfast, maintained, growing faith and relationship.

"The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”*They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”*Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves.*No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.*It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.*Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father.*Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.*I am the bread of life.*Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.I am the living breadwhich came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Here they begin with a logical question, but not spiritually understanding. Jesus directs them again to understand that His Father is the One who teaches and compells, and is now teaching and compelling through Jesus. So what Jesus is revealing is from the Father, and eternal life will be given through Him. And so vs 51 makes the connectio of the Word doing the saving work through His flesh, which is also the reference to His death.

The Bread of God (the Word) has become flesh! This is what John tells us in chapter one. This is what Jesus is revealing, but with prophesy. And He alludes to them that belief is necessary, but still so is His death because no one has perfect belief but He who came from heaven. So He would provide atonement for all men, and He would provide the sacrifice for all generations.

His meaning is so deep in this passage that it escapes knowledge and demands trust from the Father to stay with Him, believing He will provide nourishment.

“The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”*So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;**he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.*For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.*He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.*As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.*This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.”*This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper′na-um.”

Jesus doesn’t explain any metaphoric meaning but repeats His command. And here is the verse which states you have no life in you, unless you eat His flesh and blood. He has already distinguished that the bread He will give to the world is His flesh. This is His true body which will suffer and die at Calvary, and then be resurrected by His own power. This is established from the first chapter in this very book.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

 

[rcwitness]

*Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”*But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?*It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.*But there are some of you that do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him.*And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

This part seems to give an explanation for some, but they still doubt and leave because of the challenge of His statement. Did Jesus just tell them He was only speaking metaphorically, that when He said ‘eat my flesh and blood’ He only meant believe my Spirit and life? Why do some still leave?

No, Jesus still must die, and still institutes His New Covenant meal with His flesh and blood. No one was so good as to believe and overcome without His death necessary! This is why we must receive His spirit through His very coming and His sacraficial death.

After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.Jesus said to the twelve, “Will you also go away?”*Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;*and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”*Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Those who stay, as Confirmed through Peter, stay with the trust that He will provide, even as Abraham did. Jesus’ flesh and blood were provided, by the Spirit, for us who did not believe unto life. We all fall short of the Spirit.

Yet our belief draws us to Him who gained our salvation! And we do so as One body, One Bride, One Church, One faith, through One Baptism and One Communion.

It becomes a matter of the meaning of His Eucharist, which is profoundly deep.

Matthew 26

"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”*And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you;for this is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.*I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

This is the manner in which He gave us His flesh and blood to physically eat. He first filled the 12, as in the 12 baskets, then they distributed to the world, as commanded, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

This memorial celebration is not an option for the Christian, and God forbid anyone should think of it as a burden.

Hebrews 10

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,*by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,*and since we have a great priest over the house of God,*let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.*Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful;*and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,*not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

And does the Apostle not presume, when he says, “when you come together.”, that this is what is done by the Christian? So it is the calling of the Lord to come together.

 

[rcwitness]

1 Corinthians 10

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?*Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the practice of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?*What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?*No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.*You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.*Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”

Luke 17

“Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

So if this is such a great and necessary practice of the Christian, why is it strange to imagine Jesus telling us that if we neglect to partake of it, then His life is not in us?

Rather, we should discern what the Father has given to us through His son’s flesh and blood. Because without Him in the flesh, we would not be given the Spirit.

Colossians 2

“Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving…
For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily.”

 

[PJM]

=rcwitness;13266608]1 Corinthians 10

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?*Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the practice of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?*What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?*No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.*You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.*Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”

Luke 17

“Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

So if this is such a great and necessary practice of the Christian, why is it strange to imagine Jesus telling us that if we neglect to partake of it, then His life is not in us?

Rather, we should discern what the Father has given to us through His son’s flesh and blood. Because without Him in the flesh, we would not be given the Spirit.

Colossians 2

“Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving…
For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily.”

Thank you,

Patrick

 

[rcwitness]

Thank you,

Patrick

And thank you.

This thread is important to me. I appreciate
Chaddicus Finch’s great question! It’s the most I’ve ever spent on a post, I think.

 

[benhur]

"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirsty… Belief in Jesus,…is the will of the Father

Hi rc,

Thanks for the time spent posting.You like myself and others certainly study to place ourselves right there to try to understand the discourse.

I agree that the focus is belief and they did not believe. Notice He begins with implying believing is really the eating and drinking.

 

[rcwitness]

Hi rc,

Thanks for the time spent posting.You like myself and others certainly study to place ourselves right there to try to understand the discourse.

I agree that the focus is belief and they did not believe. Notice He begins with implying believing is really the eating and drinking.

Yes. I think the deeper necessity to “eat” His sacramental Body and Blood is that our belief lacks perfection. We all believe, but have various levels of belief.

And this is evident in the fact that we even need Christian leaders at all, and that we, unfortunately, have divisions.

There is “one bread” as the Apostle Teaches. What constitutes this “one bread”?

It is also a participation in the sacrifice at the altar! This is not metaphorical language, but more like direct contact and reception of Him.

 

[rcwitness]

“I believe, help my unbelief.”

Mark 9

 

[rcwitness]

Or how about this?

And James and John, the sons of Zeb′edee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”36And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”39And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”*