Mark 10:43

43 but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great among you must be your 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 The other ten, hearing of it, were at first highly indignant with James and John.

42 Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, "You are aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority;

43 but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant;

44 and whoever desires to be first among you must be the bondservant of all.

45 For the Son of Man also did not come to be waited upon, but to wait on others, and to give His life as the redemption-price for a multitude of people."