Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them.^{(A) 47} But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts,^[a](B) took a little child and had him stand next to him. ⁴⁸ He told them, “Whoever welcomes^[b] this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.^(C) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”^(D)

In His Name

⁴⁹ John responded,^(E) “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,^(F) and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”^(G)

⁵⁰ “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”^[c](H)

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)