Luke 22:26

Luke 22:26 Meaning and Explanation

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

Among Jesus' followers greatness is inverted: the greatest must take the lowest place and the leader must serve.

What Does Luke 22:26 Mean?

'But ye shall not be so' draws a line between Christ's community and the world's order. In a culture where age outranked youth and the host outranked the waiter, Jesus assigns his greatest the role of the youngest and his chief the role of the table servant.

He does not abolish leadership; he reverses its direction - downward, toward the towel and the basin. Authority in his kingdom is a way of carrying others, not of being carried by them. Every disciple with any influence - parent, teacher, employer, elder - is handed this verse as a job description (Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:5-7).

Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:26

What does Luke 22:26 mean?

Among Jesus' followers greatness is inverted: the greatest must take the lowest place and the leader must serve.

Keep Studying Luke 22

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.