Who Is Greatest

24 And (A)a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest. 25 (B)And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it is not this way for you; (C)rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like (D)the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For (E)who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But (F)I am among you as the one who serves.

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24 A dispute also started[a] among them over which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.[b] 25 So[c] Jesus[d] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’[e] 26 Not so with you;[f] instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader[g] like the one who serves.[h] 27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table,[i] or the one who serves? Is it not[j] the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one[k] who serves.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:24 tn Or “happened.”
  2. Luke 22:24 tn Though the term μείζων (meizōn) here is comparative in form, it is superlative in sense (BDF §244).
  3. Luke 22:25 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the dispute among the apostles.
  4. Luke 22:25 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  5. Luke 22:25 sn The title ‘benefactor,’ highlighting grace and meaning something like “helper of the people,” was even given to tyrants (2 Macc 4:2; 3 Macc 3:19; Josephus, J. W. 3.9.8 [3.459]).
  6. Luke 22:26 tn Grk “But you are not thus.”
  7. Luke 22:26 tn Or “the ruler.”
  8. Luke 22:26 sn And the leader like the one who serves. Leadership was not to be a matter of privilege and special status, but of service. All social status is leveled out by these remarks. Jesus himself is the prime example of the servant-leader.
  9. Luke 22:27 tn Grk “who reclines at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
  10. Luke 22:27 tn The interrogative particle used here in the Greek text (οὐχί, ouchi) expects a positive reply.
  11. Luke 22:27 sn Jesus’ example of humble service, as one who serves, shows that the standard for a disciple is different from that of the world. For an example see John 13:1-17.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

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