Luke 9:46
What does Luke 9:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:46 means
A dispute arose among them about who was the greatest. This quarrel reveals the disciples’ continuing preoccupation with status and reward despite being present at Revelation and hearing teaching about the cross. It reflects natural human ambition and a misunderstanding of kingdom values. Their argument demonstrates that spiritual insight doesn’t immediately change heart motives. Jesus will correct them, using a child’s humility as the standard, teaching that greatness in God’s eyes is measured by receptivity and service, not power or rank.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now there was a discussion among them about which of them would be the greatest.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And there entered a reasoning among them, this, Who may be greater of them?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there entered a thought into them, which of them should be greater.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And a reasoning came in amongst them, who should be [the] greatest of them.
Context
This verse follows the disciples’ failure to understand Jesus’ words about his coming suffering (v.45). The argument about greatness highlights the gap between their perception and Jesus’ teaching on humility (vv.47–48). Luke places this dispute here to contrast worldly ambition with kingdom values, a theme reinforced by subsequent corrective action where Jesus elevates the least as the model of greatness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 9:33
And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way?
- Luke 22:24
And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.
- Galatians 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
- Matthew 18:1
In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- Luke 14:7
And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,
- Matthew 23:6
and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
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