24A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered the greatest. [22:25] Jesus said to them: "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those exercising authority over them are called benefactors. [22:26] But not so among you — instead, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one leading as the one serving. [22:27] For who is greater: the one reclining or the one serving? Is it not the one reclining? Yet I am among you as the one serving. [22:28] But you are those who have remained with me in my trials. [22:29] And I covenant to you — just as my Father covenanted to me — a kingdom, [22:30] so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
LUK 22:24-30
Who Is the Greatest?
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, honor and status were central to social identity. The dispute among the disciples about who was the greatest reflects this cultural obsession with rank and prestige. Roman and Hellenistic rulers often styled themselves as 'benefactors' , a title that masked their authoritarian rule under the guise of generosity and patronage. Jesus contrasts this model of leadership with a radical inversion: the greatest must become like the youngest, and the leader must serve . In a society where reclining at meals symbolized status and being served was a mark of honor, Jesus’ statement that He Himself serves would have been jarring. His reference to trials evokes the Jewish expectation of enduring suffering as part of faithfulness to God. By appointing a kingdom to His disciples, Jesus establishes a new covenant, redefining greatness not by domination but by humble service and shared faithfulness.
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How other translations render this
LUK 22:24
- KJV
- And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
- BSB
- A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
- Koinōnos
- A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered the greatest.
LUK 22:25
- KJV
- And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
- BSB
- So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said to them: "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those exercising authority over them are called benefactors.
LUK 22:26
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.
- Koinōnos
- But not so among you — instead, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one leading as the one serving.
LUK 22:27
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.
- Koinōnos
- For who is greater: the one reclining or the one serving? Is it not the one reclining? Yet I am among you as the one serving.
LUK 22:28
- KJV
- Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
- BSB
- You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.
- Koinōnos
- But you are those who have remained with me in my trials.
LUK 22:29
- KJV
- And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
- BSB
- And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,
- Koinōnos
- And I covenant to you — just as my Father covenanted to me — a kingdom,
LUK 22:30
- KJV
- That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- BSB
- so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Koinōnos
- so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 22:24
- a dispute:The word translated 'a dispute' here implies a strong desire to win or be first, often leading to rivalry and contentiousness.
LUK 22:25
- benefactors:The term used here for 'benefactors' was often an honorary title given to rulers or wealthy individuals who provided public services or gifts, highlighting their perceived generosity and status.
LUK 22:26
- serving.:The word translated 'serving' often referred to practical, humble service, like waiting on tables or attending to daily needs, rather than a position of authority.
LUK 22:29
- appoint:The word translated 'appoint' carries the sense of making a solemn arrangement or covenant, often with legal or contractual implications, rather than simply assigning a role.