Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The indignation of the ten doubtless sprang less from humility than jealousy plus the fear that they might lose out. These verses demonstrate that interest in egalitarianism may mask a jealousy whose deepest wellsprings are not concern for justice but “enlightened self-interest.” The disciples revert to the squabbling of an earlier period (Mark 9:33–37; cf. Matthew 18:1). Jesus calls them together and draws a contrast between greatness among “Gentiles” and greatness among heirs of the kingdom. Power and authority characterized the Roman empire. Greatness among Jesus’ disciples is based on service. Anyone who wants to be great must become the “servant.” In the pagan world humility was regarded as a vice. Imagine a slave being given leadership! Jesus’ ethics of the leadership and power in his community of disciples is revolutionary.