Luke 22:26
What does Luke 22:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:26 means
Jesus counters the world’s pattern: “ye shall not be so.” In His kingdom, the one who is greater must become as the younger—without claim to precedence—and the leader must be as one who serves. He reframes authority as responsibility, not privilege. True greatness stoops, attends, and bears burdens. This is not false modesty but active, others-centered love. The revision fits His own path to the cross, where the greatest becomes servant of all. The disciples’ craving for rank is redirected toward humble ministry. Jesus sets a new culture for His church: leadership marked by lowliness, patience, and readiness to serve, trusting that honor belongs to God to bestow in His time.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But let it not be so with you; but he who is greater, let him become like the younger; and he who is chief, like a servant.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but ye <FI>are<Fi> not so, but he who is greater among you--let him be as the younger; and he who is leading, as he who is ministering;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger: and he that is the leader, as he that serveth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But ye [shall] not [be] thus; but let the greater among you be as the younger, and the leader as he that serves.
Context
After critiquing Gentile-style rule, Jesus positively defines greatness by servanthood. In the next verse He will appeal to His own example: though He is the one worthy to recline and be served, He is in their midst as one who serves. Following this, He will acknowledge the disciples’ faithfulness through His trials and grant them a kingdom promise that includes eating and drinking at His table and judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
v.25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors.
v.26This passage
v.27For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 18:3
and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- 3 John 1:9
I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
- Romans 12:2
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Matthew 23:8
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren.
- Luke 9:48
and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
- 1 Peter 5:3
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
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