Church Fathers Commentary Luke 22:24-27

"And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth." — Luke 22:24-27 (ASV)

Theophylact of Ohrid: While they were asking among themselves who would betray the Lord, they would naturally go on to say to one another, “You are the traitor,” and so feel compelled to say, “I am the best; I am the greatest.” Therefore, it is said, And there was also a dispute among them about which of them should be considered the greatest.

Greek Expositors: Or, the dispute seems to have arisen because, as our Lord was departing from the world, it was thought that someone had to become their leader, taking our Lord’s place.

The Venerable Bede: Just as good people look for examples from their ancestors in the Scriptures, so that they may profit from them and be humbled, so the wicked, if they happen to discover anything blameworthy in the elect, gladly seize upon it to excuse their own sins. Therefore, many people eagerly read that a dispute arose among the disciples of Christ.

St. Ambrose of Milan: If the disciples did argue, this is not offered as an excuse, but presented as a warning. Let us then beware, lest any arguments among us for precedence lead to our ruin.

The Venerable Bede: Instead, let us not look at what the carnal disciples did, but at what their spiritual Master commanded, for it follows: And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles...

St. John Chrysostom: He mentions the Gentiles to show by this how wrong it was. For it is characteristic of the Gentiles to seek precedence.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: Their subjects also give them flattering titles, as it follows, And they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. Now they, being truly foreign to the sacred law, are subject to these evils, but your preeminence is in humility, as it follows, But you shall not be so.

St. Basil the Great: Let not the one who is chief be puffed up by his position, lest he fall away from the blessedness of humility; instead, let him know that true humility is serving many. Just as one who attends to many wounded people and wipes the blood from their wounds would least of all enter that service for his own exaltation, so much more should the one entrusted with the care of his sick brothers be thoughtful and anxious, as the minister of all who is about to render an account for all.

And so, let the one who is greatest be as the younger. Again, it is fitting that those in the chief positions should also be ready to offer physical service, following our Lord’s example, who washed His disciples’ feet. Hence it follows, And he that is chief as he that does serve.

But we need not fear that the spirit of humility will be weakened in a subordinate while being served by a superior, for humility is spread by imitation.

St. Ambrose of Milan: But it must be observed that not every kind of respect and deference to others signifies humility, for you may defer to a person for worldly reasons, out of fear of their power, or for your own self-interest. In that case, you seek to build yourself up, not to honor another. Therefore, one form of the precept is given to all: that they should not boast about precedence, but strive earnestly for humility.

The Venerable Bede: In this rule given by our Lord, however, the great need considerable judgment. They must not, like the kings of the Gentiles, delight in tyrannizing over their subjects or be puffed up by their praises; yet they must also be stirred by a righteous zeal against the wickedness of offenders.

But to the words of the exhortation, He adds His own example, as it follows: For which is greater, he who sits at meat, or he that serves? But I am among you...

St. John Chrysostom: It is as if He says: Do not think that your disciple needs you, but that you do not need him. For I, who need no one and whom all things in heaven and earth need, have condescended to the level of a servant.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He shows Himself to be their servant when He distributes the bread and the cup. He mentions this service to remind them that if they have eaten of the same bread and drunk from the same cup, and if Christ Himself served all, then they all ought to be of one mind.

The Venerable Bede: Or He is speaking of that service where, according to John, He, their Lord and Master, washed their feet. Although the word "serving" itself may imply all that He did in the flesh, by "serving" He also signifies that He pours out His blood for us.