Mark 9:35

33 Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

34 But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”

36 Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,

37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”
KJV
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
WEB
He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
ASV
And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.
DARBY
And sitting down he called the twelve; and he says to them, If any one would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all.
BLB
And having sat down, He called the Twelve, and He says to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he will be last of all and servant of all.”
ÅB
Og han satte seg og kalte på de tolv og sa til dem: Om noen vil være den første, han skal være den siste av alle, og alles tjener.
OTB
Jesus satte seg ned, kalte de tolv til seg og sa: «Hvis noen ønsker å være først, må han være den siste av alle og alles tjener.»
B1930
Og han satte sig og kalte på de tolv og sa til dem: Om nogen vil være den første, han skal være den siste av alle, og alles tjener.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 20:25–28

    But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

    Read in context
  • Luke 22:26

    But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

    Read in context
  • Mark 10:42–45

    So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

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  • Matthew 23:11

    The greatest among you shall be your servant.

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  • Luke 14:10–11

    But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you.

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:14

    I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

    Read in context
  • James 4:6

    But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

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  • Jeremiah 45:5

    But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I will bring disaster on every living creature, declares the LORD, but wherever you go, I will grant your life as a spoil of war.”

    Read in context