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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 22:24 - 22:27
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk_22:24-27
24And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves."
Luk_22:24 "And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest" Every time Jesus related His death, the disciples began to argue over who would be His successor (cf. Mat_18:1-5; Mat_20:24-28; Mar_9:33-37; Mar_10:41-45; Luk_9:46-48). The Greek word for "dispute" implies one ready to argue. The context of John 13 involves this same issue. The larger context is the dialogue in the "guest room" during the Lord's Supper, John 13-17. They still had in their minds an earthly kingdom, a Jewish kingdom (cf. Act_1:6). They were arguing over which one of them would take Jesus' place as leader.
Luk_22:25-27 Jesus uses several words denoting powerful men: "kings," "those who have authority," "benefactors" (used of Syrian kings). These all refer to people in power. Christ's leaders must be servant leaders. Jesus demonstrated this for them as He washed their feet in Joh_13:3-5 and supremely when He died on the cross. God's leaders must be Kingdom people, Great Commission people!
The fall involved selfishness; faith in Jesus promotes and provides selflessness (cf. Gal_2:20). We are saved to serve; we live to serve! It is all about Jesus, not all about us (cf. Luk_9:48).
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Luk_22:27 The second question of Luk_22:27 expects a "yes" answer. This is a typical biblical "role reversal" statement. God's ways are not our ways (cf. Isa_55:8).