A CUP — the ordinary drinking vessel, and in the prophets a standing image for the portion God assigns. Usually of wrath ('the cup of staggering,' Isaiah 51:17; 'the cup of his fury'), sometimes of blessing (Psalm 23:5's cup that runs over; Psalm 116:13's 'cup of salvation'). ⚠ Jesus uses it of his own fate three times in Matthew, and the three are a chain: 'are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?' to two ambitious brothers (20:22), 'let this cup pass from me' in Gethsemane (26:39), and the cup he hands the disciples at the supper (26:27). The brothers answer 'we are able' without knowing what they have agreed to, and are told they will indeed drink it — which both of them, in different ways, did. → first discussed at Matt 20:22