Luke 22:24

24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Luke 22:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 22:24

And there was also a strife among them
The Persic version reads, "at a certain time there was a contention among the apostles"; and some think, that this refers to the time when the mother of Zebedee's two sons asked the favour of Christ, to set one of them at his right hand, and the other at his left, in his kingdom; which greatly incensed the other disciples, and occasioned a dispute about precedence; when our Lord interposed, and used much the same arguments as here; and which, it is thought, Luke here inserts out of the proper place. The Ethiopic version renders it, "then his disciples disputed among themselves"; pinning it down to this very time: and what might give occasion to the present dispute, may be what Christ had said concerning the kingdom of God, ( Luke 22:16 Luke 22:18 ) which they understanding of the temporal kingdom of the Messiah, and fancying, by his words, that it was near at hand, began to strive among themselves who should be the greatest in it; or it might be brought on by their inquiry among themselves, who should betray him, which might lead them on each one to throw off the imputation from himself, and to commend himself as a steady follower of Jesus, and to express his hopes of being his chief favourite, and principal minister in his kingdom: for the strife was, which of them should be accounted the greatest;
by Christ; or that should be so in his kingdom. Perhaps the contention might be chiefly between Peter, James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, and who were the favourite disciples of Christ; and Peter might urge his seniority, and what Christ had said to him, ( Matthew 16:18 Matthew 16:19 ) and the rather, since it is certain Satan was now busy about him; wherefore Christ calls him by name, and singles him out among the rest, ( Luke 22:31 ) .

Luke 22:24 In-Context

22 For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!"

23 And they began to question one another, which of them it was that would do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

25 And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

26 But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.