Mark 10:44

44 and whosoever would be first of you shall be bondman of all.

Mark 10:44 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 10:44

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest
Is desirous of the highest place and the greatest honour

shall be servant of all:
for the ministers of the Gospel are not only the servants of Christ Jesus, but also of the churches for his sake; and in serving them, they serve Christ: not that they are to be the servants of men and to take their instructions from them and act according to rules prescribed by them; or seek to please men for then they would not be the servants of Christ: but they become servants to all that they may win souls to Christ, and increase his churches, and enlarge his interest; and such as are most useful this way are the chiefest in the Gospel church state; they are honoured by Christ and esteemed by his people; (See Gill on Matthew 20:27).

Mark 10:44 In-Context

42 But Jesus having called them to [him], says to them, Ye know that those who are esteemed to rule over the nations exercise lordship over them; and their great men exercise authority over them;
43 but it is not thus among you; but whosoever would be great among you, shall be your minister;
44 and whosoever would be first of you shall be bondman of all.
45 For also the Son of man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many.
46 And they come to Jericho, and as he was going out from Jericho, and his disciples and a large crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind [man], sat by the wayside begging.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.