For 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.
Jesus points to himself as one who serves at the table among them there now.
It gives his own posture as the measure for greatness.
24A 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.