33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house he asked them: What were you arguing about on the road? [9:34] But they were silent, for on the road they had argued with one another about who was greatest. [9:35] Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them: If anyone wishes to be first, he will be last of all and servant of all. [9:36] Taking a child, he stood him in their midst, and having taken him in his arms he said to them: [9:37] Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me does not receive me but the one who sent me. [9:38] John said to him: Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he was not following us. [9:39] But Jesus said: Do not stop him, for there is no one who will perform a work of power in my name and be able soon to speak evil of me. [9:40] For whoever is not against us is for us. [9:41] For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are of Christ — truly I say to you, he will certainly not lose his reward.
MRK 9:33-41
The Greatest in the Kingdom
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, social hierarchy and honor-shame dynamics were deeply ingrained. The disciples' argument about who was the greatest reflects this cultural preoccupation with status and rank. In Roman society, ambition for prominence was often tied to public recognition, patronage, and leadership roles. Jesus' response subverts these norms by elevating the role of the (servant), a position typically associated with low status and menial labor. By taking a (child) into His arms, Jesus further challenges societal expectations. Children in this context were seen as dependent and without social standing, making them symbols of humility and insignificance. His act of (embracing) the child underscores a radical redefinition of greatness—one rooted in service and care for the vulnerable. Additionally, Jesus' mention of receiving someone 'in My name' aligns with the Jewish concept of hospitality, where welcoming others was tied to honoring God. This teaching would have been countercultural, emphasizing humility and service over status and power.
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How other translations render this
MRK 9:33
- KJV
- And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
- BSB
- Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
- Koinōnos
- They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house he asked them: What were you arguing about on the road?
MRK 9:34
- KJV
- But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
- BSB
- But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
- Koinōnos
- But they were silent, for on the road they had argued with one another about who was greatest.
MRK 9:35
- KJV
- And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
- BSB
- Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”
- Koinōnos
- Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them: If anyone wishes to be first, he will be last of all and servant of all.
MRK 9:36
- KJV
- And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
- BSB
- Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,
- Koinōnos
- Taking a child, he stood him in their midst, and having taken him in his arms he said to them:
MRK 9:37
- KJV
- Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
- BSB
- “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
- Koinōnos
- Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me does not receive me but the one who sent me.
MRK 9:38
- KJV
- And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
- BSB
- John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- Koinōnos
- John said to him: Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.
MRK 9:39
- KJV
- But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
- BSB
- “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me.
- Koinōnos
- But Jesus said: Do not stop him, for there is no one who will perform a work of power in my name and be able soon to speak evil of me.
MRK 9:40
- KJV
- For he that is not against us is on our part.
- BSB
- For whoever is not against us is for us.
- Koinōnos
- For whoever is not against us is for us.
MRK 9:41
- KJV
- For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
- BSB
- Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
- Koinōnos
- For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are of Christ — truly I say to you, he will certainly not lose his reward.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 9:35
- servant.:The word translated 'servant' here refers to someone who waits on tables or performs other menial tasks, emphasizing a role of humble service rather than a position of authority.
MRK 9:36
- a child:The term used here for 'a child' typically refers to a young child, often up to about seven years old, highlighting their vulnerability and dependence.
- having taken in [His] arms:The phrase translated 'having taken in [His] arms' literally means to embrace or hold someone close, conveying a sense of affection and protection.
MRK 9:39
- a work of power:The phrase 'a work of power' uses a word that denotes inherent ability, strength, or miraculous power, often referring to supernatural acts.