Luke 22:26, commentary and pictures

Spoken to His disciples at their last supper together before His death, when they were disputing over who should be counted greatest, the verse forbids among His followers the lordship exercised by the kings of the world, where position means self-exaltation and control of others for the leaders' benefit. In its place it requires that he who is greatest be as the younger and he who is chief as he who serves, making true greatness the taking of the lowest place in humble, mutual service rather than the seeking of honor, rank or supremacy. Jesus enforced this by His own example among them as one who serves, laying aside His garment and washing their feet, even the betrayer’s, as a token of love that exposed their selfish ambition and filled them with shame. There must therefore be no contention for first place and no cherishing of envy and jealousy in striving for supremacy, for such selfish love of dignity and position has no place where Christ dwells in the heart. Those standing in positions of responsibility and trust must not rule as kings or bear rule over their fellow men, but take the humble, serving place, giving wise and unselfish counsel and a safe example without overbearing words or acts.

Context and Meaning

The words were spoken to the disciples at the last Passover supper held with Him, on the last evening spent with them in the last hours before He offered Himself as a sacrifice, at the last gathering before the crucifixion. Their contention over who should be accounted greatest marred that last evening, which heavenly angels witnessed with regret. At that time Satan made a determined effort to arouse contention among them, and with hearts filled with selfishness and tempers heated by contention they yielded to strife and whisperings, when in a right frame of mind they would have received great blessing. Each in wounded pride refused the servant's work of washing feet, and their flushed faces and jealous anger showed ambition opposing humble service.

The dispute was over who would hold the highest place and be most honored in His kingdom, for their desire for rank and honor showed they were not ready to hear what He wanted to teach them before His death. Despite repeated instruction to the contrary they still expected Him soon to become king and establish a temporal kingdom in Jerusalem, a belief revived by His reception entering the city. The verse forbids among His followers the lordship of the kings of the Gentiles who exercise authority and are called benefactors. It forbids the whole order of the kingdoms of the world, where position means self-aggrandizement, the people are supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes, and influence, wealth and education are means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders. There the higher classes think, decide, enjoy and rule while the lower obey and serve, religion is a matter of authority with the people expected to believe and practise as their superiors direct, and the right of man as man to think and act for himself is wholly unrecognized.

Instead, he that is greatest among them must be as the younger, and he that is chief as he that serves, so that true greatness is taking the lowest place and doing a servant's work in humility rather than seeking honor, rank, place or self-exaltation. This requires mutual obligation and service, that instead of quarreling for place each count the others better than himself, and seeking one's own preference at others' expense is contrary to Christ's example. Jesus enforced this by His own example among them as he that serves, though exalted and honored and called Lord. Without a word He laid aside His outer garment and girded Himself with a towel as a servant to wash their feet as a last token of love, extending that service even to the disciple who would betray Him. The foot-washing ordinance illustrates true humility and calls His followers in every country and age to repeat His act through unselfish ministry.

He heard their whisperings and saw their flushed faces, and His action opened their eyes and exposed their selfishness, filling them with shame and humiliation so they saw themselves in a new light they would remember as long as life lasted. As Christians become more like Jesus and grow in character, they become less eager to honor or exalt themselves.

Humble Service in Practice

There must be no contention over who shall be accounted greatest, no competing for rank, no striving for supremacy, and no struggling to be first and have the supremacy. Cherishing envy and jealousy is forbidden, for where envy and jealousy are permitted Christ is not in the heart. The thought of seeking to become the greatest must never come into the mind, for selfish principles and love of dignity and position are forbidden. Life is to be lived in Christian fellowship rather than in competition for place.

Keeping this word means loving the law of God and having the love of Jesus Christ in the heart, and loving one another as Christ loved, loving one's neighbor as oneself. That love prepares for the blessed heaven of peace and rest, where there is no striving for first place or supremacy.

It is to be studied carefully by those who are full of assurance and self-confidence that their course is right, as a lesson against presumption and self-trust like that of Peter. Strength lies not in what poor finite beings suppose they are able to do, but in what Christ will do for them through strong persevering faith and entire trust in Him as Leader. Because growth, development, and success depend wholly on Jesus, no one has grounds to boast of superiority.

Men standing in positions of responsibility and trust must not be lords and must not rule as kings. God will have nothing to do with methods of work where finite men are allowed to bear rule over their fellow men. Those who lead or are considered greatest should take the humble place of the younger and the serving position, not managing matters as though their wisdom were superior to that of their associates, nor claiming unlimited power and authority for themselves.

A decided change is demanded, so that the voice of command is no longer heard. Those who lead must be men of humility and discretion who conduct the work in the fear of God, acting in submission to God as the chief Director above human minds. The greatest and the chief must serve by giving wise counsel that protects and strengthens God's people, hating every vestige of selfishness, showing they are not narrow-minded, and setting an example that may be safely followed. Position gives no liberty to speak impatiently or boastfully or to act in an overbearing manner, scolding and fretting like spoiled children, which dishonors Christ and trails His uplifted standard in the dust. Failing here sets a misleading example before all within their influence and imperils the progress of the cause.

The intelligent, God-fearing, truth-loving canvasser is made equal in position to the gospel minister. Canvassing work is to be done as missionary work from a missionary standpoint, without unfaithfulness or selfish motives such as selling only the cheapest and easiest books for greater earnings instead of placing before the people the books that give most light. Ministers themselves are called to do this most precious ministry of canvassing, to obtain a varied experience in the very house-to-house work Paul did. Christian physicians show the same rule by recognizing one another as fellow workers and members of the same household of faith, with no selfish barriers or rivalry.

Love and loyalty to Christ are the source of all true service, creating in the heart a desire to work for Him that should be encouraged and rightly guided. In the home, the neighborhood, and the school, the poor, the afflicted, the ignorant, and the unfortunate are not a misfortune but a precious opportunity for service. Skill in this service is gained only by doing it, through training in the common duties of life and in ministry to the needy and suffering, and without that practical training even the best-meant efforts are useless and harmful.