10:43a
But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But indicates that there is a contrast between the way the rulers of the Gentiles lead people (10:42) and the way Jesus’ disciples should lead (10:43–44). The Good News Bible introduces this contrast with the word “however.” The New International Version does not use a connector but begins the verse with “Not so” to indicate the contrast. You should indicate the contrast in 10:43 in the way that is most natural in your language.
it shall not be this way among you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it shall not be this way among you is more literally “it is not thus among you.” This statement is expressed as a fact. It indicates that leadership among the disciples of Jesus is different from leadership among the Gentiles. This statement also expresses a difference that should exist. It was like a command that Jesus was giving them.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
It shall not be so with you… (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But don’t act like them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
But among you it should be quite different. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
10:43b–44
As in 10:42b–c, in 10:43b–44 there are two statements that have almost the same meaning. However, the statement in 10:44 is more emphatic. Notice the similar parts of these statements:
43bInstead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
44and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.
Here is another way to translate these statements:
If any of you wants to be great, he must serve everyone. And if anyone wants to be greatest among you, he must be the slave of you all.
Notice that these ideas contrast with the ones in 10:42b–c.
10:43b
Instead: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead introduces a contrast. Leaders among Jesus’ disciples should not act like the Gentile leaders (10:43a). Rather, they should act like servants (10:43b). The New Jerusalem Bible introduces this contrast with the word “No.” Many versions do not have a connector here, since the contrast was already introduced in 10:43a. Do what is natural in your language for this context.
whoever wants to become great: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as great is similar to the word that was translated as “high officials” in 10:42. The Revised Standard Version shows this similarity in English:
42c…their great men exercise authority over them. 43b…but whoever would be great among you…
Here becoming great implies becoming a leader among the disciples. The way to become a leader among them contrasted with the way to become a leader among the Gentiles.
Here are some ways to translate whoever wants to become great in this context:
any of you who wants to become a leader
-or-
if one of you wants to lead the others
among you: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as among you are the same words that were used in 10:43a and are repeated here. Jesus was referring to his disciples. He meant that among the disciples whoever wanted to lead them must first be a servant to the others. He was not referring to someone who was not a disciple who might want to be a leader or ruler over them.
must be your servant: Jesus taught that if one of the disciples wanted to be great, he must show his concern for the other disciples by helping them and serving them.
servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant means someone who “serves,” “helps” or “works” for another person. This is a different Greek word than the word that is translated as “slave” in 10:44.
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