Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 20:25

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them." — Matthew 20:25 (ASV)

Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles — No words of reproof could more strongly point to the contrast between the true and the false views of the Messiah’s kingdom. The popular Jewish expectations, shared by the disciples, were really heathen in their character, substituting might for right and ambition for the true greatness of service.

Exercise dominion over them — Better, as in 1 Peter 5:3, lord it over them. It is not easy to find a similarly forceful rendering for the other word, but we must remember that it, too, implies a wrong exercise of authority, in the interest not of the subjects, but of the rulers.