COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 102
“ Mark 9:33 And He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 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. 36 And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.”
(Mark 9:33-37; Matt 18:1-7; Luke 9:46-48)
A DISPUTATION ABOUT WHO WAS GREATEST
INTRODUCTION
This text provides a very needed perspective of spiritual life – self is not at life’s center! There are thirteen references to Deity in these verses. Jesus was the One leading, asking, sitting, calling, taking, setting, and holding. The issue was receiving Him and the One who sent Him. The message of the church is ever the Gospel – the “record God has given of His Son” (1 John 5:10-11). The diagnosis of man is not the ultimate point, and the resolution of worldly problems is not the fundamental aim. What Christ thinks of the matter is the final thought on it. What Jesus does is the primary activity. A life that does not revolve around Jesus Christ is no life at all – it is really death. As simplistic as this may appear, the failure to perceive Jesus as the Hub around which everything else revolves is the cause for all confusion, discord, and waywardness. That is what causes the individual to be diverted to vanity, or to think of himself as the main person. The fact that humanity had to be delivered, justified, and directed confirms it is not the main point. A personality that has to be helped cannot be the center. Yet, because man has sinned and comes short of the glory of God, he continues to insist that even Divine activity revolves around him, what he wants, and how he feels. If we perceive this text correctly, we behold in it a gracious Master, bringing His disciples back to the proper manner of thought. In thinking about themselves, they had become distracted, and it had even caused a disputation among them – a disputation of which Jesus was keenly aware.
AN EMBARRASSING QUESTION
“ Mk 9:33 And He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.”
HE CAME TO CAPERNAUM. Capernaum is the place to which Jesus moved from Nazareth. He did this in order to fulfill the Scriptures concerning light springing up in Galilee of the Gentiles (Matt 4:13-16). He resided there frequently (Mk 2:1), although He indicated He had no dwelling place of His own – no place to “lay His head” (Matt 8:20). Knowing that Jesus was often there, people would come to Capernaum seeking Him (John 6:24).
Even though Jesus spent a lot of time here, it was not because the people welcomed Him, receiving His teaching and believing on Him. In fact, He upbraided Capernaum because of their unacceptable response to Him. “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matt 11:23).
HE ASKED THEM. Those who follow Jesus will find themselves being questioned and scrutinized by Him. Although Jesus is often represented by men as being only interested in our welfare, and seeking to meet our needs, He is also one who searches our hearts and calls us into account for our thinking. Because He is holy, He cannot abide unholy manners – even among those He has called to walk with Him.
Christ’s question was a most telling one: “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?” or “What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?” AMPLIFIED Luke says Jesus “perceived the thought of their heart” (Lk 9:47) – that is, they were arguing about what they were thinking about, and Jesus was very aware of both their thoughts and their speech.
The thoughts and speech of followers of Christ will be significantly altered if they will remember the Lord “weigheth the spirits” (Prov 16:2), and “pondereth the hearts” (Prov 21:2). He “looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7), “weighs the path of the just” (Isa 26:7), and “searches the reins and hearts” (Rev 2:23). As it is written, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13). Not only is the Lord aware of our thoughts and words, He will speak to us about them, calling us to account for them. All of this requires an acute awareness of Him.
Sensitivity to Christ’s knowledge of our ways is a marvelous deterrent to sin. It will do what no law or set of rules is capable of doing. That is precisely why Satan seeks to divert religious men to other matters that have more to do with men than with the Lord.
THEY HELD THEIR PEACE. The disciples held their peace because they were ashamed to acknowledge the subject of their discussion. What they had been arguing about might have appeared very important among themselves. However, the mentioning of it before the Christ of God was another matter. When the heart is aware of the searching eye of Christ, a sense of shame registers upon the conscience because of unacceptable thoughts and words.
They had not been aware of the all-seeing, all-hearing Christ, but had been walking with Him just as though He was an ordinary man like themselves.
This account is like a microcosm of the day of judgment, when all men will “give account” for every “idle word” (Matt1 2:36). It is written, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). What did we reason about along the road to glory? Was it the place of elders, the role of women, or our preferences of music? What was it that occupied or minds and conversations? Was it marriage, or employment, or institutional concerns? Such things may appear quite important when we blot Jesus out of our minds and think only of ourselves. However, they sound quite differently when we are aware of Him. It is our business to learn to live in view of Divine scrutiny before that day of ultimate accountability.
THEY HAD DISPUTED AMONG THEMSELVES. They had been arguing about “who should be greatest.” Matthew provides a little more insight on the matter. He records their discussion had to do with “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:1). Luke says that as they had been walking “there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest” (Lk 9:46).
The disciples were not arguing about their present status. Just before this Jesus had told Peter He was going give him “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 16:19). Jesus had also told all of them that some of them would not die “till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). Jesus Himself had preached, “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). When He had sent the twelve out to preach, he instructed them, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 10:7).
Even in this crude stage of their discipleship, their reasoning was based on what Jesus had said – even though their understanding of Christ’s words was flawed. This confirms that thinking on the Word does not transform our thinking into an acceptable form. A person must have understanding in order for thoughts and words to be acceptable.
THE SECRET TO BEING “FIRST”
“ 35 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.”
Matthew says that the disciples came to Jesus “saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:1). As both Mark and Luke point out, they did not do this of their own accord. Rather, Jesus drew them out by asking them what they were discussing on the road. Now, as He sits down, they are more open, knowing that they have been discovered.
HE SAT DOWN AND CALLED THE TWELVE. Jesus did not dismiss the disciples discussion as a harmless involvement – something that is natural for men to do. Rather, He takes the occasion to sit down and call “the twelve” to himself for special instruction. This is not teaching for the multitudes, but for the chosen disciples. It is not novel teaching, but is critical to their understanding. They have been selected to be key figures in the Kingdom of God. Later, Jesus will tell them that they are going to occupy “twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt 19:28). However, they must first be taught concerning the manner of their involvement. This is not a kingdom after the order of the world.
DESIRING TO BE FIRST. Jesus knows that the only reason the disciples had been arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom was because of a desire to be “first.” There is no other reason to discuss such matters. Therefore, Jesus goes straight to the issue. Later, Jesus will refer to “whosoever will be great among you,” and “whoever of you will be chiefest” (Mk 10:43-44).
There are two ways to view this text. First, that Jesus is speaking of the way to greatness. Second. That He is declaring the inevitable outcome of wanting to be great: i.e. “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased” (Luke 14:11). The words that follow suggest that the first condition is more prominent, even though there is an element of rebuke in what follows. Jesus will now provide the manner of the Kingdom concerning greatness and aspirations.
LAST OF ALL. “The same shall be last of all.” Other versions read, “he shall be last of all,” NKJV “he must be last of all,” NIV “must take the last place,” GWN and “he must make himself last of all.” NLT Jesus also stated this at other times (Mk 10:43; Lk 22:26). Luke’s words “let him be as the younger” underscore that this is referring the individual voluntarily assuming the position of a servant, not being forced to serve. No person is great because God had to humble him. The great person takes the lowest position, as Jesus did when he took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:3-7).
The person who makes himself last of all is the one who, in “lowliness of mind,” esteems others “better then themselves” (Phil 2:3). Matthew’s account says Jesus referred to this as one humbling himself (Matt 18:4). This is not something that can be done by self-will. Rather, it is the result of spiritual understanding. Such a person has seen the nature of their own salvation, and has freely submitted to be used by God in the fulfillment of His purpose.
SERVANT OF ALL. Luke refers to the one“that is least among you” (Lk 9:48). That is, this is the person who, like Jesus, does not come to be “ministered unto, but to minister” (Matt 20:28). Jesus is not speaking of fleshly servile tasks, although some of that may be involved. According to the flesh, Jesus said, “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). The Apostles also once said of certain duties that involved meeting temporal needs, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables” (Acts 6:2). They were servants of a higher order, administering the things provided by God through Jesus Christ. In this case, it would involve feeding the flock of God (1 Pet 5:2). This does not rule out acts of kindness, and none should imagine for a moment that it does. Those are covered in the word, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). This, however, has to so with Kingdom manners not greatness or excelling.
As used in this text, a “minister” or a “servant” has more to do with serving the eternal interests of people – things that Jesus ministers from the heavenly sanctuary (Heb 8:1-2). For example, when Paul wrote to the saints, he did so as a “servant” (Rom 1:1; Phil 1:1; Tit 1:1). He was a servant of Christ and to men, and his servitude had to do with bringing people to Christ (1 Cor 9:19). He was not serving human interests but Christ Himself, for as soon one serves men, he ceases to be a servant of Christ (Gal 1:10).
Kingdom greatness is measured by what one ministers to others. This is not found in humanly recognized achievements, like building large institutions, achieving academic excellence, and other such things. A professed Christian leader who does not bring spiritual advantages to the people of God is neither a leader nor a servant. I realize that this has some alarming ramifications, but it is the truth. The individual who comes in the name of a spiritual leader, yet does not care for the sheep, is an obstacle to spiritual progress. Such are not serving God, but are actually hindering men. Paul referred to such as “the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil 3:19). Strong words, indeed, yet needful ones.
A DEMONSTRATION OF GREATNESS
“ 36 And He took a child, and set Him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.”
HE TOOK A CHILD. This is a most tender scene, with Jesus taking a child and holding him “in His arms.” Matthew says Jesus “called a little child unto Him, and set Him in the midst of them” (Matt 18:2). Luke says He “took a child, and set him by Him” (Lk 9:47). Some have conjectured that Jesus was in Peter’s house, and that this was Peter’s child. Around the ninth century, some said this child was Ignatius, one of the early church fathers. However, it is not who the child was that is of importance, but what Jesus said of the occasion.
Matthew provides two additional facts concerning this event. First, Jesus said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” That is, unless they started over, laying aside pride and being willing to take the lower seat. Second, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3-4). Greatness, in this case, has to do with being humble before Christ, eager and willing to receive from Him and serve Him.
RECEIVING IN CHRIST’S NAME. Other versions read, “receives one of these little children,” NKJV and “accepts and receives and welcomes one such child.” AMPLIFIED Jesus is not speaking of mere kindness to and care for children – although that is certainly proper. He adds that the child is received “in My name” (Mk 9:37; Matt 18:5). That lifts this activity to a higher dimension. Some versions read “for My sake,” WEYMOUTH “as a disciple of Mine,” WILLIAMS “on My behalf,” NLT and “in My name and for My sake.” AMPLIFIED Here, the idea extends beyond little children in the flesh, although they are included. This refers to people who are humble, and have laid aside the flesh, being converted – i.e. “one of such.” By receiving such in Christ’s name, Christ Himself is being recognized in the one who is received. In other words, the person is received because he belongs to Christ, not because of fleshly appeal or relationship. This is the result of knowing no man “after the flesh” (2 Cor 5:16).
It ought to be noted that it is exceedingly difficult to build a career or name upon receiving little children, or those who are converted and have humbled themselves as little children. Such a posture has no appeal to those who think highly of themselves.
RECEIVETH ME. Jesus is very particular about this. When a person is received because they belong to Him, their reception is equated with receiving Christ Himself. Thus Jesus spoke of those who saw His needy brethren and gave them food, gave them drink, took them in, clothed them, visited them, and came to them. He said of their conduct, “I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt 25:40). He also affirmed that he would say to those who did not receive His brethren, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (Matt 25:45). He further said that the eternal destiny of both groups would be determined by their conduct toward the “least of these,” His brethren (Matt 25:34,40,45-46).
Matthew adds a word concerning those who do not receive such humble souls. He records that Jesus said it would be better for such an individual if he had a large millstone hanged about his necked, and were thrown into the sea to drown (Matt 18:6).
RECEIVING HIM THAT SENT ME. Jesus adds that the person who receives Him (by receiving the most humble of His people) was actually not receiving Him, but God the Father who had sent Him: “receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.” That is, Jesus cannot be received independently of receiving the God who sent Him. By saying this, the Savior was acknowledging His own humility, in submitting to the “will of the Father” who sent Him (John 5:30). The ultimate purpose of Jesus is to “bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). Through Him we have been “reconciled to God” (Rom 5:10). To spurn, or disdain, the children of God is to spurn Jesus, and to spurn, or reject, Jesus is to spurn God.
HE THAT IS LEAST AMONG YOU. Luke points out that this teaching provides insight into what it means to be great: “Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Luke 9:48).
Thus Jesus has shown the disciples the foolishness of discussing and disputing about who is greatest in the Kingdom of God. Seeking priority or greatness is of the flesh, not the Spirit. The Kingdom has already assigned the greatest position to Jesus Himself, who has been “Highly exalted” and given “a name that is above every name” (Phil 2:9). And what is Jesus doing in this exalted capacity? He is ministering (Heb 8:2), mediating (Heb 8:6; 9:15), advocating (1 John 2:1), and interceding (Heb 7:25). He is, in fact, serving God (Isa 42:1), fulfilling His purpose to bringing “many sons to glory” (Heb 2:10). And who are those sons? They are humble ones who could not save themselves, and have thus yielded themselves to the King. Those who follow Christ as faithful servants toward His people are, indeed “great,” even though none of them regard themselves as being so.