And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just state that the first will be last; he emphasizes that the desire to be first is what makes you last. The only path to true greatness in God's kingdom isn't ambition, but actively choosing to be a servant to everyone, a radical inversion of worldly values.
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, the disciples had argued amongst themselves about who was the greatest among them while Jesus was trying to teach them about His impending death. Now, in a private setting, Jesus addresses this issue directly, using their contentious discussion as the backdrop for a radical redefinition of greatness within His kingdom. He then uses a child as a living illustration of His point.
Ever feel like you're constantly jostling for position, trying to get ahead? Jesus understood that competitive spirit, but He flipped it on its head.
The disciples had been arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus, seeing this, didn't scold them directly. Instead, He sat them down for a profound lesson. He knew that earthly ambition, the desire to be first, often springs from a place of insecurity or a misunderstanding of true value. This kind of ambition, Jesus warns, leads not to honor, but to the opposite – to being last and overlooked. It's a reminder that striving for status in the world's eyes can actually push us further away from the recognition that truly matters.
What does it truly mean to 'serve'? Jesus didn't just talk about it; He showed that serving is the very path to the top.
Jesus directly links the desire to be first with the call to be a 'servant of all'. This isn't just about doing chores; it's about adopting a servant's heart and mindset. The original word used here, 'diakonos,' speaks of active ministry, of actively pursuing the needs of others. It’s about humility, availability, and a willingness to put others' needs before your own. True leadership in God's kingdom isn't about lording over others, but about stooping down to lift them up. By embracing the role of servant, we align ourselves with Christ's own example and unlock a deeper, more meaningful kind of influence.
Understand the original words
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diakonos · Greek Noun
Someone who serves others, often in a position of humility or subordination. In Jesus' teaching, it refers to the voluntary adoption of a lowly role to meet the needs of others, diametrically opposed to worldly notions of status.
This teaching by Jesus comes immediately after a failure by his disciples and a dispute among them about who is the greatest. The historical context highlights their ongoing struggle with pride and worldly ambition, making Jesus' counter-cultural lesson on humility and service incredibly relevant.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples Fail to Cast Out Demon
After Jesus' transfiguration, the disciples are unable to cast a demon out of a boy. Jesus explains this failure was due to their lack of faith and prayer, suggesting this event humbled them and prepared them for further teaching.
c. AD 28
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Jesus begins to repeatedly teach his disciples about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. This teaching was difficult for them to grasp, overshadowed by their earthly hopes and misunderstandings of his kingdom.
c. AD 28
Disciples Dispute About Greatness
While traveling through Galilee, the disciples engage in a private, contentious discussion about who among them is the greatest, revealing their worldly ambitions despite Jesus' recent teachings.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches Humility and Service
In response to the disciples' dispute, Jesus sits and calls the twelve, teaching them that true greatness in his kingdom comes through humility, being last, and serving all.
c. AD 28
Jesus Uses a Child as an Example
To illustrate his teaching on humility, Jesus takes a child into his arms, demonstrating that receiving the humble and vulnerable is receiving him, and that the 'least' will be the 'greatest'.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching here, showing the disciples asking who is greatest and Jesus responding by presenting a child as an example of the humility required for greatness in the kingdom.
Luke 14:11Jesus echoes this principle when teaching about inviting guests, stating 'whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted,' emphasizing that true honor comes from humility.
Galatians 5:13This verse highlights the practical outworking of Jesus' teaching by calling believers to serve one another humbly through love, preventing prideful ambition and fostering unity.
Philippians 2:3-7Paul directly applies this concept, urging believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' and pointing to Christ's own example of selfless service.
expositorsMark 9:28-37: "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?"
CHAPTER 9:28-37 (Mark 9:28-37)JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES "And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, saying, We could not cast it out. And He said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it. For He taught His disciples, and said…
calvinMark 9:30-36: "And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it."
- And while they remained in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men: 23. And they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again. And they were deeply grieved.
Matthew 18:1-5
- At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus, having called a little child to him, p…
Jesus doesn't just state that the first will be last; he emphasizes that the desire to be first is what makes you last. The only path to true greatness in God's kingdom isn't ambition, but actively choosing to be a servant to everyone, a radical inversion of worldly values.
Just moments before, the disciples had argued amongst themselves about who was the greatest among them while Jesus was trying to teach them about His impending death. Now, in a private setting, Jesus addresses this issue directly, using their contentious discussion as the backdrop for a radical redefinition of greatness within His kingdom. He then uses a child as a living illustration of His point.
Just moments before, the disciples had argued amongst themselves about who was the greatest among them while Jesus was trying to teach them about His impending death. Now, in a private setting, Jesus addresses this issue directly, using their contentious discussion as the backdrop for a radical redefinition of greatness within His kingdom. He then uses a child as a living illustration of His point.
"And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”" — Jesus doesn't just state that the first will be last; he emphasizes that the desire to be first is what makes you last. The only path to true greatness in God's kingdom isn't ambition, but actively…
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Last reviewed October 2026