Who Is the Greatest?

Jesus contrasts the Gentile style of rule with his own way, where the greatest serves, then promises the disciples a kingdom because they have stood with him in his trials.

A²⁴ dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. ²⁵So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. ²⁶But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. ²⁹And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.