Mark 10:43 kjv
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mark 10:43 nkjv
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Mark 10:43 niv
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
Mark 10:43 esv
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
Mark 10:43 nlt
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
Mark 10 43 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 9:35 | Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” | Calls for humility and servant-hood to be first. |
| Mt 20:25-28 | Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them... Not so with you... Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant... Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." | Direct parallel to Mk 10:43, explaining worldly power vs. kingdom service, referencing Christ as the ultimate example. |
| Lk 22:25-27 | Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them... But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater: the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” | Another parallel, emphasizing leadership as service and Jesus' own example. |
| Php 2:3-8 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus... he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant... he humbled himself... | Explains the Philippian model of humility and servanthood mirroring Christ's example. |
| Jn 13:12-16 | When he had finished washing their feet... "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example..." | Jesus models humble service as an example for disciples. |
| Mt 23:11 | The greatest among you will be your servant. | Concise summary of the principle from another context. |
| Lk 14:11 | For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. | General principle of humility leading to exaltation. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them... not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. | Instruction for elders to lead by example, not domination. |
| Is 42:1-4 | "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations... He will not shout or cry out..." | Prophecy of the Suffering Servant, fulfilled in Christ's humility. |
| Is 53:10-12 | Though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin... After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities... he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. | The ultimate example of servanthood in Christ's atoning sacrifice. |
| Gal 5:13 | You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free; but do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. | Freedom in Christ expressed through loving service. |
| Rom 12:10 | Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. | Encourages prioritizing and honoring others over self. |
| Eph 4:1-2 | As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received—with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. | Admonition to live in humility and love within the Christian community. |
| Mk 8:34-35 | Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." | Connects following Christ with self-denial, which includes humble service. |
| Mt 18:4 | Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. | Childlike humility is paramount for greatness in God's kingdom. |
| Heb 5:8-9 | Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. | Christ's obedience, including suffering service, as the path to salvation. |
| 2 Cor 4:5 | For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. | Paul's self-understanding as a servant of others for Christ's sake. |
| 1 Tim 3:8-13 | In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere... not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons... | Qualities of diakonos (deacon/servant) in church leadership. |
| Js 4:6 | But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” | Principle that God favors the humble, in line with servant-hood. |
| Gal 6:2 | Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. | Practical implication of servanthood: burden-bearing. |
| 1 Jn 3:16 | This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. | Self-sacrificial love, the extreme form of service, inspired by Christ. |
| Rom 15:1-3 | We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” | Calls for strong to serve weak, aligning with Christ's example of not pleasing self. |
Mark 10 verses
Mark 10 43 Meaning
Mark 10:43 presents a foundational principle of leadership within the Kingdom of God, starkly contrasting it with worldly power structures. Jesus declares that unlike earthly rulers who dominate and exploit, true greatness among His followers is achieved through humble service to others. This verse redefines power not as a means to self-exaltation or control, but as an opportunity for self-giving love and ministry to the needs of others within the community. It sets a counter-cultural paradigm for all who aspire to significance in Christ.
Mark 10 43 Context
Mark 10:43 is part of a significant teaching moment by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark (10:35-45). Immediately preceding this verse, James and John, two of Jesus' inner circle disciples, made an ambitious request to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His glory. This request reveals their misconception of the Kingdom of God, viewing it through a worldly lens of power, prestige, and earthly reward, rather than the spiritual reality of suffering and service that Jesus consistently taught.
Their ambition stirs indignation among the other ten disciples, suggesting that they too harbored similar desires for prominence. In response, Jesus gathers all of them to directly address this critical misunderstanding of discipleship and leadership. He explicitly contrasts the prevailing secular model of governance ("the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them") with the radical and inverted values of His Kingdom. Mark’s Gospel itself emphasizes discipleship through suffering and self-sacrifice (e.g., Mk 8:34-35), reinforcing that greatness is found in service, not domination.
Historically and culturally, the Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire, where power was clearly demonstrated by those who "exercised authority" and "lorded over" others. Titles, positions, and displays of power were common. Jesus’ teaching was a direct polemic against this prevailing ethos, both Roman and potentially even Jewish religious leadership (Mk 7:8-13), advocating for a completely different kind of societal and religious structure rooted in humble service.
Mark 10 43 Word analysis
Not so with you. (Greek: Ouk houtōs estin en hymin - "Not thus is it in you").
- Not so: (Ouk houtōs) A stark and immediate contrast, rejecting the worldly model. It's an absolute negation of the pagan or secular idea of leadership.
- with you: (en hymin) Refers specifically to Jesus' disciples and, by extension, the community of believers. This principle is distinct for the Christian body, defining its unique operational ethos. It directly counters the disciples' worldly ambitions.
Instead, (Greek: All' - "But" or "Rather")
- A strong adversative conjunction, introducing the true nature of greatness. It signals a complete shift from the worldly norm to the divine standard.
whoever wants to become great (Greek: hos an thelē genesthai megas)
- whoever wants: (hos an thelē) Indicates desire, aspiration, or ambition. Jesus does not condemn the desire for "greatness" itself, but rather redirects the path to achieving it. It acknowledges human ambition but redefines its expression.
- to become: (genesthai) Signifies a transformation or a process of becoming. True greatness is cultivated through actions and character.
- great: (megas) Refers to significant, powerful, or preeminent. In worldly terms, this means authority and honor. In the Kingdom, its meaning is profoundly altered.
among you, (Greek: en hymin - "in/among you")
- Emphasizes the internal dynamics and hierarchy (or anti-hierarchy) of the community of believers. Greatness is defined within the context of relationship and responsibility to fellow believers.
must be (Greek: estai - "will be")
- A future indicative, implying a certain and divinely ordained outcome. It is a prescriptive statement, a requirement, not merely an option.
your servant: (Greek: hymin diakonos - "your servant")
- servant: (diakonos) From which the English "deacon" derives. This word denotes one who waits on tables, one who performs duties, one who serves. It implies active, willing, and humble service, often involving mundane and thankless tasks. It is distinct from doulos (slave), as diakonos implies service often by choice or commission. It counters the popular image of a ruler or official who receives service.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Not so with you. Instead...": This opening establishes a clear and fundamental opposition to conventional notions of power and hierarchy. It's a foundational statement that demarcates the ethics of Christ's Kingdom from the ethics of the world.
- "whoever wants to become great among you": Jesus affirms the legitimate desire for impact and significance, but redirects its focus from self-exaltation to the betterment of the community. It challenges believers to align their ambition with God’s design.
- "must be your servant": This phrase redefines greatness entirely. It signifies that authority and influence in the Kingdom are derived from humble service to others, actively attending to their needs. This challenges societal norms where status dictates who serves whom, establishing that in Christ's community, the highest position entails the lowest, most practical work. It sets the standard for leadership, where the leader's primary role is to empower, uplift, and care for those under their charge.
Mark 10 43 Bonus section
The specific choice of diakonos (servant/minister) is noteworthy, contrasting subtly with doulos (slave), which is used later in verse 44. While doulos often implies involuntary and total subjugation, diakonos implies active service, often for wages or by commission, yet without any inherent prestige. Jesus is moving beyond even the humility of a paid servant to the absolute self-giving of a slave, who is property with no rights. The shift to doulos (slave) for the one who wishes to be "first of all" emphasizes the utter depths of self-abasement and surrender required for true leadership in God's eyes. Therefore, while diakonos is used in v.43 to establish the general principle of serving, the more extreme doulos in v.44 escalates the commitment to service, showing the profound reversal of values that Jesus demands from His followers, particularly those who desire the greatest positions of influence. It suggests that the path to ultimate leadership (first of all) requires the ultimate act of humility and submission—becoming a slave to all. This polemic targets the very core of ancient societal power dynamics, where freedom was prized above all, and slavery was the ultimate disgrace. Jesus asserts that true freedom and spiritual exaltation come through voluntary slavery for the good of others.
Mark 10 43 Commentary
Mark 10:43 encapsulates Jesus' radical redefinition of leadership and power, challenging both His disciples and future generations to abandon worldly ambitions for self-exaltation. In a culture driven by social standing, patronage, and the exertion of authority, Jesus champions a counter-intuitive paradigm where true eminence is inversely proportional to one’s desire for control and directly proportional to one's commitment to self-giving service. This isn't merely about having a humble attitude but engaging in practical, hands-on ministry to others' needs. It directly corrects the disciples' misguided aspirations for prestige by pointing them towards the pathway of the diakonos – one who serves actively. The greatness Jesus speaks of is not measured by the number of people who serve you, but by the number of people you serve. It underscores that all positions of influence within the church are ultimately positions of profound responsibility for care and empowerment of others, mimicking the very character of Christ Himself who came "not to be served but to serve" (Mk 10:45). This teaching stands as a perpetual challenge to pride and self-interest, calling believers to embody the humility and sacrificial love central to the Kingdom of God.
- Example 1: A pastor serving the poorest members of his congregation, washing feet, or providing direct aid, rather than only delivering sermons from a pulpit.
- Example 2: A business owner intentionally seeking opportunities to mentor and empower their employees, valuing their growth above their own profit.
- Example 3: A church leader consistently taking on thankless tasks like cleaning or setting up for events, showing that no service is beneath them.