A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even as Jesus prepared for his betrayal and death, the disciples were caught up in earthly ambition, arguing about who among them was the greatest. This reveals how deeply ingrained the desire for status and hierarchy can be, even in those closest to God. Their focus was not on the spiritual kingdom, but on earthly power structures that Jesus was about to dismantle.
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments after instituting the Lord's Supper and while Jesus is aware of Judas's imminent betrayal, a squabble breaks out among the disciples about who among them is considered the greatest. This reveals their continued focus on earthly status and power, even as Jesus prepares to go to the cross. Their desire for preeminence stands in stark contrast to Jesus's upcoming self-sacrificing act.
Right before the ultimate act of sacrifice, Jesus finds his disciples arguing about who's the biggest star. Sound familiar?
The disciples, even in this solemn moment of the Last Supper, still harbored earthly ambitions. They debated who among them would hold the highest position in Jesus' coming kingdom, mirroring worldly power structures.
A Different Kind of Kingdom
Jesus gently corrects this by redefining greatness. He contrasts the 'kings of the Gentiles' who lord their authority over others, with the way of his kingdom. In heaven's economy, true greatness isn't about ruling, but about serving. The one who leads must be like a servant, and the one who is most important must be the one who serves others.
The Ultimate Example
Jesus himself embodies this truth. He states, 'I am among you as the one who serves.' This isn't just a statement; it's a living parable. Just hours later, he would gird himself with a towel and wash his disciples' feet, demonstrating the depth of his self-sacrificing love and the true meaning of leadership in his kingdom.
Right as Jesus is about to face his darkest hour, his closest friends are arguing about who gets the best seat.
What's striking about this dispute is its timing. It occurs in the upper room, during the Passover meal, just as Jesus is revealing that he will be betrayed and instituting the Lord's Supper. This context highlights a profound disconnect between Jesus' sacrificial love and the disciples' self-centered ambition.
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A Deeply Ingrained Desire
Commentators point out that this wasn't the first time the disciples had debated about greatness. This recurring theme shows how deeply ingrained the desire for status and power was, even among those who had left everything to follow Jesus. Their earthly expectations of a conquering Messiah fueled this ambition.
A Gentle but Firm Correction
Jesus doesn't condemn them harshly. Instead, he uses this moment to teach a crucial lesson that would shape his kingdom. While acknowledging their faithfulness ('You are those who have stayed with me in my trials'), he redirects their focus from earthly hierarchies to heavenly ones. The impending suffering and betrayal make his lesson on humility and service even more poignant and necessary.
Understand the original words
philoneikia · Greek Noun
A state of contention, argument, or rivalry. In a biblical context, it frequently highlights the sinful pride and misplaced ambition of the human heart, even among believers.
meizōn · Greek Adjective
Refers to the highest in status, rank, or importance. In the kingdom of God, this concept is radically redefined by Jesus to mean being the servant of all.
This dispute over greatness, occurring at the very end of Jesus' earthly ministry and on the night of His betrayal, highlights the disciples' persistent struggle with worldly ambition, even in the face of profound spiritual realities. It underscores Jesus' radical redefinition of greatness, shifting it from power and status to humble service.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Disciples' Learning
Throughout Jesus' ministry, His disciples often struggled to grasp His teachings about humility and service, repeatedly showing ambition for status.
c. AD 29
Dispute over Greatness (Early)
An earlier dispute arose among the disciples about who was the greatest, indicating a recurring theme of ambition and misunderstanding.
c. AD 29
Request of James and John
James and John asked Jesus to let them sit at His right and left in His kingdom, prompting another discussion about greatness and service.
c. AD 30
The Last Supper Begins
Jesus and His disciples gather for the Passover meal, a solemn occasion where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper.
c. AD 30— this verse
Dispute over Greatness (Last Supper)
A dispute arose among the disciples about who among them was to be regarded as the greatest, occurring just before Jesus' arrest.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following the Last Supper, Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and undergoes trials before the Jewish and Roman authorities.
This passage reveals another instance where a dispute arose among the disciples about which of them was considered greatest, showing this was a recurring issue rooted in their understanding of Jesus' kingdom.
Matthew 20:24-28The request of James and John's mother for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in his kingdom directly prompted a similar discussion about greatness, revealing the disciples' misunderstanding of true leadership.
John 13:1-17Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet immediately before this dispute serves as a powerful, practical demonstration of the humble, servant leadership that He desires, directly countering their ambition for status.
Philippians 2:3-8Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by instructing believers not to act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility to consider others as more important than themselves, mirroring Jesus' own self-emptying.
pooleLuke 22:24: "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."
Luke only taketh notice of this strife at the time of their being in the guest chamber. Such a strife we read of, Matthew 18:1 20:25,26 Mr 9:33 and in this Gospel, Luke 9:46 ; by which it is apparent, that they had been more than once arguing this point. But yet most interpreters think that it is here placed by Luke out of order and some translate egeneto in this text, there had been, not, ther…
clarkeLuke 22:24: "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."
There was also a strife among them - There are two different instances of this sort of contention or strife mentioned by the evangelists, each of which was accompanied with very different circumstances; one by Matthew, in Matthew 18:1 , etc., by Mark, Mark 9:33 , etc.; and by Luke, in Luke 9:46 , etc. That contention cannot have been the same with this which is mentioned here. The other, relate…
Even as Jesus prepared for his betrayal and death, the disciples were caught up in earthly ambition, arguing about who among them was the greatest. This reveals how deeply ingrained the desire for status and hierarchy can be, even in those closest to God. Their focus was not on the spiritual kingdom, but on earthly power structures that Jesus was about to dismantle.
Just moments after instituting the Lord's Supper and while Jesus is aware of Judas's imminent betrayal, a squabble breaks out among the disciples about who among them is considered the greatest. This reveals their continued focus on earthly status and power, even as Jesus prepares to go to the cross. Their desire for preeminence stands in stark contrast to Jesus's upcoming self-sacrificing act.
Just moments after instituting the Lord's Supper and while Jesus is aware of Judas's imminent betrayal, a squabble breaks out among the disciples about who among them is considered the greatest. This reveals their continued focus on earthly status and power, even as Jesus prepares to go to the cross. Their desire for preeminence stands in stark contrast to Jesus's upcoming self-sacrificing act.
"A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest." — Even as Jesus prepared for his betrayal and death, the disciples were caught up in earthly ambition, arguing about who among them was the greatest. This reveals how deeply ingrained the desire for st…
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Last reviewed October 2026