Mark 10:43

43 It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.

Mark 10:43 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 10:43

But so shall it not be among you
Or "so let it not be", as in many copies; or as the Persic version renders it, "it ought not to be so among you"; such a lordly spirit does not become you; this is heathenish:

but whosoever will be great among you shall be,
as in Matthew "let him", ( Matthew 20:26 ) , be

your minister.
This was just the reverse of what the two disciples were seeking for; they were indeed for being ministers but then they were for being prime ministers of state; and would have had all the rest subject to them and attendants on them to be sent out and employed as they should think fit: whereas the only way to preferment and greatness in Christ's kingdom, or rather Gospel church state, is to labour, in the work, of the ministry more abundantly than others; to take great pains and endure great hardships in order to bring great glory to God, and do great good to the souls of men; (See Gill on Matthew 20:26).

Mark 10:43 In-Context

41 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John.
42 Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads.
43 It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.
44 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.
45 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served - and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.