Contention (φιλονεικια). An old word from φιλονεικος, fond of strife, eagerness to contend. Only here in the N.T.

G…

A strife. A contention or debate.

And there was also a strife among them.—The incident that follows is peculiar to Luke. The noun that he uses for “strife”…

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves,…

Theophylact of Ohrid: While they were asking among themselves who would betray the Lord, they would naturally go on to say …

Their questions about this treachery leads immediately to the disciples’ argument—shocking on this solemn occasion—about precedence ([Reference Mar…

And there was also a strife among them

How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon Himself the form of a servant a…