Matthew 23:11
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Historical Context
In Greco-Roman society, greatness meant exercising power over others. Masters ruled slaves, patrons dominated clients, emperors commanded subjects. Jesus's teaching that leaders must serve those under them was revolutionary, contradicting every cultural assumption about authority and honor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's definition of greatness expose the bankruptcy of worldly ambition?
- What does Christ's own servanthood teach about the nature of true spiritual authority?
- In what practical ways should Christian leadership embody servanthood rather than domination?
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Analysis & Commentary
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant—the Greek construction ho de meizōn hymōn estai hymōn diakonos (ὁ δὲ μείζων ὑμῶν ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος) presents a radical redefinition of greatness. Meizōn (μείζων, greater) and diakonos (διάκονος, servant/minister) appear contradictory—yet Jesus makes servanthood the criterion for kingdom greatness, directly inverting worldly values.
This principle, repeated throughout Jesus's teaching (Matthew 20:26-27; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:26), finds its ultimate demonstration in Christ Himself, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). The future tense estai (ἔσται, will be) indicates eschatological vindication: those who serve humbly now will be exalted in God's kingdom. The term diakonos, from which we derive 'deacon,' originally meant table-waiter—the humblest domestic service.