Mark 10:44
What does Mark 10:44 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 10:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 10:44 means
Jesus further intensifies His teaching on Kingdom leadership by stating that anyone who desires to be 'first'—to hold the highest position of honor—must become a 'servant of all.' This emphasizes a radical posture of unconditional humility and self-giving service, where a leader actively seeks to meet the needs of everyone, rather than being served by them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And whoever has a desire to be first among you, let him be servant of all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and whoever of you may will to become first, he shall be servant of all;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whosoever will be first among you shall be the servant of all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and whosoever would be first of you shall be bondman of all.
Context
Building upon the principle that greatness is ministering, Jesus escalates His teaching to declare that desiring to be 'first' requires becoming a 'servant of all.' This profound statement sets the stage for the pinnacle of His teaching in this section: His own example and definitive statement regarding His purpose to serve and give His life as a ransom, found in the next verse.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 10
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 10.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Goodness of God
God’s goodness is a foundational truth of faith, revealing His benevolent nature and faithful provision for all creation.
Topic
Bible Verses About Marriage
Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman, established by God for companionship, procreation, and mutual support
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart
When the silence at home is louder than the words — verses to pray for your marriage.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Spiritually Numb
When God feels distant and you feel nothing — verses for the dry season.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Burnout as a Christian
When ministry, work, or caregiving has emptied you — scripture for refilling.