Luke 22:24
New International Version
A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

New Living Translation
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.

English Standard Version
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Berean Standard Bible
A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.

Berean Literal Bible
And there was also a dispute among them which of them is thought to be the greatest.

King James Bible
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

New King James Version
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

New American Standard Bible
And a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest.

NASB 1995
And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

NASB 1977
And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

Legacy Standard Bible
And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

Amplified Bible
Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest.

Christian Standard Bible
Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.

American Standard Version
And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.

Contemporary English Version
The apostles got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest.

English Revised Version
And there arose also a contention among them, which of them is accounted to be greatest.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest.

Good News Translation
An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.

International Standard Version
Now an argument sprang up among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Majority Standard Bible
A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.

NET Bible
A dispute also started among them over which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

New Heart English Bible
There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

Weymouth New Testament
There arose also a dispute among them which of them should be regarded as greatest.

World English Bible
A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there happened also a strife among them—who of them is accounted to be greater.

Berean Literal Bible
And there was also a dispute among them which of them is thought to be the greatest.

Young's Literal Translation
And there happened also a strife among them -- who of them is accounted to be greater.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a love of strife was in them, which of them thinks to be the greater.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now there was also a contention among them, as to which of them seemed to be the greater.

New American Bible
Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest.

New Revised Standard Version
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There was also a dispute among them, as to who is the greatest among them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But there was also a dispute among them, of who among them was great.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And there had been also a contention among them, which of them was thought to be the greatest.

Godbey New Testament
And there was a contention among them, which one of them seems to be the greater,

Haweis New Testament
Now it came to pass, that there was also a contention among them, even which of them should be accounted to be the greatest.

Mace New Testament
Now there had been a dispute among the disciples, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

Weymouth New Testament
There arose also a dispute among them which of them should be regarded as greatest.

Worrell New Testament
And there arose also a contention among them as to which of them seemed to be greatest.

Worsley New Testament
And there was also a dispute among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Who is the Greatest?
23Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this. 24 A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest. 25So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.…

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. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

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. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” / Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. / “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Mark 9:33-37
Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” / 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.” ...

John 13:12-17
When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? / You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. / So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ...

Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. / Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: ...

1 Peter 5:3-5
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. / Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you shall be your servant. / For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 Corinthians 9:19
Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.


Treasury of Scripture

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

Luke 9:46
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Matthew 20:20-24
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him…

Mark 9:34
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Jump to Previous
Accounted Argument Considered Contention Dispute Greater Greatest Held Regarded Strife
Jump to Next
Accounted Argument Considered Contention Dispute Greater Greatest Held Regarded Strife
Luke 22
1. The leaders conspire against Jesus.
3. Satan prepares Judas to betray him.
7. The apostles prepare the Passover.
19. Jesus institutes his holy supper;
21. covertly foretells of the traitor;
24. rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition;
31. assures Peter his faith should not fail;
34. and yet he should deny him thrice.
39. He prays in the mount, and sweats blood;
47. is betrayed with a kiss;
50. he heals Malchus' ear;
54. he is thrice denied by Peter;
63. shamefully abused;
66. and confesses himself to be the Son of God.














A dispute also arose among them
This phrase sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, highlighting the human tendency towards conflict even among those closest to Jesus. The Greek word for "dispute" is "φιλονεικία" (philoneikia), which implies a love of strife or contention. This suggests that the disciples were not merely having a mild disagreement but were engaged in a more intense argument. Historically, this moment occurs during the Last Supper, a time that should have been marked by unity and reflection. The disciples' dispute serves as a reminder of the ever-present human struggle with pride and ambition, even in the presence of the divine.

as to which of them
This phrase indicates that the dispute was personal and competitive. The disciples were concerned with their individual status and rank among their peers. The Greek phrase "τίς αὐτῶν" (tis autōn) emphasizes the personal nature of the argument, as each disciple was likely considering his own position. This reflects a common human concern with self-worth and recognition, which can often lead to division and conflict. In the broader scriptural context, this moment underscores the contrast between worldly values of power and status and the kingdom values of humility and service that Jesus consistently taught.

was considered to be greatest
The desire to be "greatest" reveals the disciples' misunderstanding of true greatness in the kingdom of God. The Greek word "μείζων" (meizōn) means greater or greatest, and it is often used in the New Testament to describe rank or importance. This reflects a worldly perspective, where greatness is measured by power, authority, and recognition. However, Jesus' teachings consistently redefine greatness as servanthood and humility. This moment serves as a pivotal teaching opportunity for Jesus to correct their understanding and to emphasize that in His kingdom, the last shall be first, and the greatest shall be the servant of all. This teaching is a cornerstone of Christian discipleship, calling believers to emulate Christ's example of selfless love and service.

(24) And there was also a strife among them.--The incident that follows is peculiar to St. Luke. The noun which he uses for "strife" does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, but the corresponding adjective meets us in the "contentious" of 1Corinthians 11:16. The dispute was apparently the sequel of many previous debates of the same kind, as, e.g., in Luke 9:46; Matthew 18:1; Mark 9:34; and the prayer of the two sons of Zebedee (Matthew 20:23; Mark 10:37). What had just passed probably led to its revival. Who was greatest? Was it Peter, to whom had been promised the keys of the kingdom, or John, who reclined on the Master's bosom, or Andrew, who had been first-called? Even the disciples who were in the second group of the Twelve, might have cherished the hope that those who had been thus rebuked for their ambition or their want of faith had left a place vacant to which they might now hopefully aspire. . . . Verses 24-30. - The jealousy, among the disciples. Verse 24. - And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. The Lord's words in these verses are peculiar to St. Luke. The strife among the disciples which suggested the Lord's corrective sayings was evidently no mere dispute as to precedence in their places at the supper, but some question as to their respective positions in the coming kingdom of which their Master had said so much in the course of his later instructions. It is closely connected with the "feet-washing" related at length by St. John (John 13:4-17). This has been well described as a parable in action, exhibited to illustrate forcibly the novel and sublime truth which he was teaching them, the world-teachers of the future, that in self sacrifice consisted the secret of true greatness. In the kingdom of heaven this would be found to be conspicuously the case.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
A dispute
φιλονεικία (philoneikia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5379: Love of dispute, contention. From philoneikos; quarrelsomeness, i.e. A dispute.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

arose
Ἐγένετο (Egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the disciples]
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[as to]
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

which
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

of them
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

would be considered
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

[the] greatest.
μείζων (meizōn)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.


Links
Luke 22:24 NIV
Luke 22:24 NLT
Luke 22:24 ESV
Luke 22:24 NASB
Luke 22:24 KJV

Luke 22:24 BibleApps.com
Luke 22:24 Biblia Paralela
Luke 22:24 Chinese Bible
Luke 22:24 French Bible
Luke 22:24 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 22:24 There arose also a contention among them (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 22:23
Top of Page
Top of Page