Luke 22:27
For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus highlights a subtle but crucial truth: true greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving. He doesn't deny that in worldly terms, the one at the head of the table appears greater, but then he immediately flips the script, pointing to himself as the example of true leadership, present among them as the servant.
Jesus is addressing a dispute among the disciples about who among them is the greatest, just as the Passover meal, a time of remembrance and anticipation, begins. He reframes the idea of greatness away from worldly power and authority, asserting that true greatness in His kingdom is found in humble service. He then uses Himself as the ultimate example, demonstrating that even as their Master, He came not to be served, but to serve.
Have you ever felt the sting of competition or the desire to be 'the greatest' among your peers? Jesus directly addresses this all-too-human drive.
The disciples were caught up in worldly ideas of greatness, aspiring to positions of power and authority, much like the rulers of the Gentiles. Jesus confronts this ambition head-on, explaining that true greatness in His kingdom isn't about dominating others, but about serving them.
Jesus says, 'I am among you.' What does it mean for the King of Kings to be present not as a ruler, but as a servant?
When Jesus states, 'I am among you as the one who serves,' He is speaking about His immediate presence and ongoing ministry within the community of His followers. This isn't a future hope or a distant ideal; it's a present reality.
This teaching about service is deeply rooted in the very last evening Jesus spent with his disciples before his crucifixion, amidst their arguments about who was greatest and Jesus' own profound act of washing their feet.
c. March/April AD 30— this verse
The Last Supper
Jesus shared his final Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and delivering significant teachings.
c. March/April AD 30
Dispute over Greatness
A dispute arose among the disciples about who would be considered the greatest in Jesus' future kingdom, prompting Jesus' teaching on servanthood.
c. March/April AD 30
Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet
Jesus demonstrated his teaching on humility and service by washing his disciples' feet, a profound act of humility usually performed by a slave.
c. March/April AD 30
Prediction of Betrayal and Denial
Jesus foretold Peter's denial and Judas's betrayal, highlighting the disciples' weakness and the challenges ahead.
This passage echoes Jesus' example by calling believers to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who, though divine, 'emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men' and humbled himself to death on a cross. This directly illustrates Jesus' point about serving rather than seeking to be served.
Mark 10:42-45Here, Jesus directly addresses the disciples' desire to be greatest and teaches the same principle: 'whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.' He then uses his own life as the ultimate example of this servant leadership, stating he came 'not to be served but to serve.'
John 13:1-17This passage describes the actual event where Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, girded himself with a towel and washed his disciples' feet. This powerful acted parable directly demonstrates Jesus living out the principle he states in Luke 22:27, showing himself to be 'among you as the one who serves.'
Matthew 20:26-28Similar to Luke's account, Jesus here instructs that 'whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant' and 'whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.' This reinforces the radical, counter-cultural nature of Jesus' teaching on leadership through service.
bengelLuke 22:27: "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."
Luke 22:27 . Γὰρ , for ) He proves His proposition by His own example.— ἐγὼ , I ) Jesus speaks in the first person, where He is speaking of ministering to others; previously He had said, in the third person, For who is greater ?— ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν ) in the midst of you , on a footing of equality. He appeals to what was present, and what was the exi…
ellicottLuke 22:27: "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."
(27) I am among you as he that serveth. —An obviously undesigned coincidence presents itself on a comparison of the words with the narrative of John 13:1-16 , where see Notes. The Lord had actually on that very evening been among them, “as he that serveth,” girded, like a slave, with the linen towel, and washing the feet of the disciples. He h…
Jesus highlights a subtle but crucial truth: true greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving. He doesn't deny that in worldly terms, the one at the head of the table appears greater, but then he immediately flips the script, pointing to himself as the example of true leadership, present among them as the servant.
Jesus is addressing a dispute among the disciples about who among them is the greatest, just as the Passover meal, a time of remembrance and anticipation, begins. He reframes the idea of greatness away from worldly power and authority, asserting that true greatness in His kingdom is found in humble service. He then uses Himself as the ultimate example, demonstrating that even as their Master, He came not to be served, but to serve.
Jesus is addressing a dispute among the disciples about who among them is the greatest, just as the Passover meal, a time of remembrance and anticipation, begins. He reframes the idea of greatness away from worldly power and authority, asserting that true greatness in His kingdom is found in humble service. He then uses Himself as the ultimate example, demonstrating that even as their Master, He came not to be served, but to serve.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 22:27 is available in the Sola app.
c. March/April AD 30
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, wrestling with his impending suffering and death.
c. March/April AD 30
Arrest of Jesus
Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane by the temple guards and Roman soldiers, marking the beginning of his trial and crucifixion.
"For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves." — Jesus highlights a subtle but crucial truth: true greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving. He doesn't deny that in worldly terms, the one at the head of the table appears greater, but…
