He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Parallel translations
- 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.”
- NKJV And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
- NASB And sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
- NLT He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus teaches that the one who wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. True greatness in God's kingdom is measured by lowly service.
Overview
Sitting down as a teacher, Jesus formally instructs the Twelve, overturning worldly hierarchies. Greatness is not seized through status but expressed through serving others. This principle is grounded in Jesus himself, who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom (10:45).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Matt 20:25–28But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
- Luke 22:26But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
- Mark 10:42–45Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
- Luke 14:10–11But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.
- Matt 23:11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Jas 4:6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Jer 45:5Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh,’ says Yahweh; ‘but your life will I give to you for a prey in all places where you go.’”
- Prov 13:10Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:35 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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