Section 22:24–30
Jesus taught his apostles about greatness
In this section Jesus’ apostles began to argue about which of them was the greatest. Because of this argument, Jesus taught them that leaders among his disciples should be different from other leaders who are not his disciples. His disciples should be servants and not harsh, arrogant leaders. This instruction applies not only to Jesus’ twelve apostles but to everyone who becomes a leader among Jesus’ other followers.
The apostles had a similar argument in 9:46 and Mark 9:34. In 9:46 this argument occurred just after Jesus had predicted in 9:44 that he would be betrayed. The similar argument here in Section 22:24–30 is also mentioned immediately after Jesus said that he would be betrayed.
Some examples of heading for this section are:
Jesus again teaches humility (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
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The Argument about Greatness (Good News Translation)
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Jesus taught that the one who serves others is the greatest among them
Some English versions, such as the New International Version, do not have a section heading here. You may divide the sections in the way that is most helpful for the people in your area.
Paragraph 22:24–27
22:24a
A dispute also arose among the disciples: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as A dispute also arose is more literally “And a dispute also happened.” In this context it introduces a topic that the apostles argued about. The phrase does not necessarily indicate that this argument happened immediately after their discussion in 22:23. Other ways to introduce this argument are:
The apostles also began to argue (New Century Version)
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And there was also a strife among them (King James Version)
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A dispute also started among them (NET Bible)
Some English versions do not translate the word also. For example:
An argument broke out among the disciples (Good News Translation)
Introduce the argument in a natural way in your language.
22:24b
as to which of them would be considered the greatest: In Greek, this phrase is more literally “[about] who of them seems to be greatest.” It indicates that the apostles argued about which of them seemed to be greater than all the rest of the apostles. Another way to translate this is:
concerning which of them seemed to be greater than the others
In some languages it may be necessary to make this argument into a direct quotation. For example:
about the question, “Who among us should be considered the greatest?”
would be considered the greatest: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as would be considered is active. It means “seems” or “thinks,” and it refers to opinions or thoughts about the apostles. The text does not specify who have those opinions, so many versions translate the verb as passive, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Some ways to translate would be considered the greatest are:
should be thought of as the greatest (Good News Translation)
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was to be regarded as the greatest (New Revised Standard Version)
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should have the most honorable position
greatest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greatest refers here to being superior to other people in importance, rank, or quality.
Some other ways to translate the word greatest are:
the most important (New Century Version)
-or-
highest in rank
General Comment on 22:24a–b
In some languages it may be helpful to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:
Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest. (God’s Word)
-or-
And they began to argue with each other. They asked each other, “Which of us seems to be the greatest?”
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