32. Jesus and the people with him were on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the way. The followers were amazed, but those who followed behind them were afraid. Jesus took the 12 apostles aside and talked with them alone. He told them what would happen in Jerusalem.
33. He said, “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be given to the leading priests and teachers of the law. They will say that he must die. They will give him to the non-Jewish people,
34. who will laugh at him and spit on him. They will beat him with whips and kill him. But on the third day after his death, he will rise to life again.”
35. Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.”
36. Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
37. They answered, “You will have glory in your kingdom. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left.”
38. Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I must drink? And can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?”
39. They answered, “Yes, we can!”Jesus said to them, “You will drink the same cup that I will drink. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have.
40. But I cannot choose who will sit at my right or my left. These places are for those for whom they are prepared.”
41. The ten followers heard this. They began to be angry with James and John.
42. Jesus called all the followers together. He said, “The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority.
43. But it should not be that way among you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant.
44. If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave.
45. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people.”
46. Then they came to the town of Jericho. As Jesus was leaving there with his followers and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting by the road.
47. He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. The blind man cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”
48. Many people scolded the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”