Luke 22:26

But you, not so: but he that is greater among you, let him become as the lesser, through humility in heart, according to that word of Ecclesiasticus 3: "The greater you are, humble yourself in all things, and before God you shall find grace." For …

Luke 22: He that is the greater among you, let him become as the lesser; and he that is the leader, as he that serves: but if the least were to make himself as the greatest, it would be the height of ambition and pride: …

Now Christ was among his disciples just like one that waited at table. He was so far from taking state, or taking his ease, by commanding their attendance upon him, that he was ready to do any office of kindness and service for them; witness his washing their feet.

But ye shall not be so,.... See Gill on Mat 20:26. but he that is greatest among you; in age or gifts, or would be thought to be the greatest, who is most ambitious of grandeur and authority, which perhaps might be Peter's case, who was the oldest man: let him be as the younger; as John, the beloved disciple, who was the youngest of them; and be as modest, and as humble as he, and reckon himself as in his place, and condescend to men of low estates, and esteem each other, even the youngest, better than himself.

Let him be as the younger - Dr. Lightfoot justly conjectures that Peter was the eldest of all the disciples; and he supposes that the strife was kindled between him and the sons of Zebedee, James and John. These three disciples were those whom Christ had distinguished by peculiar marks of his favor; and therefore it is natural to conclude that the strife lay between these three, the two brothers and Peter. Shall we or Peter be at the head? Neither, says our Lord.

there was--or "had been," referring probably to some symptoms of the former strife which had reappeared, perhaps on seeing the whole paschal arrangements committed to two of the Twelve.

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Let us observe, in this passage — how firmly pride and love of preeminence can stick to the hearts of Christian men. We are told that "There was a dispute among the disciples, as to which of them should be considered the greatest." The strife was one which had been rebuked by our Lord on a former occasion. The ordinance which the disciples had just been receiving, and the circumstances under which they were assembled — made the strife particularly inappropriate.

Let us observe, in this passage — how firmly pride and love of preeminence can stick to the hearts of Christian men. We are told that "There was a dispute among the disciples, as to which of them should be considered the greatest." The strife was one which had been rebuked by our Lord on a former occasion. The ordinance which the disciples had just been receiving, and the circumstances under which they were assembled — made the strife particularly inappropriate. And yet at this very season, the last quiet time they could spend with their Master before His death — this little flock begins a dispute, as to who should be the greatest! Such is the heart of man — ever weak, ever deceitful, ever ready, even at its best times, to turn aside to what is evil! The sin before us is a very old one. Ambition, self-esteem, and self-conceit — lie deep at the bottom of all men's hearts, and often in the hearts where they are least suspected! Thousands imagine that they are humble — who cannot bear to see an equal more honored and favored than themselves. Few indeed can be found who rejoice heartily in a neighbor's promotion over their own heads. The quantity of envy and jealousy in the world, is a glaring proof of the prevalence of pride. Men would not envy a brother's advancement — if they had not a secret thought that their own merit was greater than his. Let us live on our guard against this great evil — if we make any profession of serving Christ. The harm that it has done to the Church of Christ, is far beyond calculation. Let us learn to take pleasure in the prosperity of others — and to be content with the lowest place for ourselves. The rule given to the Philippians should be often before our eyes, "In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves."

But ye shall not be so - Christ here takes occasion to explain the nature of his kingdom. He assures them that it is established on different principles from those of the world; that his subjects were not to expect titles, and power, and offices of pomp in his kingdom. He that would be most advanced in “his” kingdom would be he that was most humble; and in order to show them this, he took a towel and girded himself after the manner of a servant, and washed their feet, to show them what ought to be their feelings toward each other. See Joh 13:4-17. He that sitteth at meat - The master of the feast, or one of his guests. But I am among you ... - This was said in connection with his washing their feet. He “showed” them how they ought to feel and act toward each other. “They” ought, therefore, not to aim at office and power, but to be humble, and serve and aid one another.