Luke 9:46

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them as to which of them should be greatest.

Luke 9:46 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:46

Then there arose a reasoning among them
The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions read, "a thought entered into them"; suggested very likely by Satan, which broke out into words, and issued in a warm dispute among them; and this was in the way, as they were travelling from Caesarea Philippi, to Capernaum; see ( Mark 9:33 ) .

Which of them should be greatest;
that is, "in the kingdom of heaven", as in ( Matthew 18:1 ) in the kingdom of the Messiah, which they expected would be a temporal one: wherefore the dispute was not about degrees in glory, nor in grace; nor who should be the greatest apostle and preacher of the Gospel; but who should be prime minister to the king Messiah, when he should set up his monarchy in all its grandeur and glory.

Luke 9:46 In-Context

44 "Let these sayings sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men."

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not; and they were afraid to ask Him about that saying.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them as to which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child and set him by Him,

48 and said unto them, "Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me. For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."