The Dispute over Greatness

24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.(A) 25 But he said to them,(B) “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called[a] ‘Benefactors.’ 26 It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest,(C) and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.(D) 28 You are those who stood by me in my trials.(E) 29 I bestow on you a kingdom,(F) just as my Father bestowed one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.(G) And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 22:25 Or them call themselves

The disciples debate greatness

24 An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.

25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. 27 So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. 29 And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me. 30 Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel.

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