Mark 10:43 But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

◄ Mark 10:43 ►

New International Version
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

New Living Translation
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,

English Standard Version
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Berean Standard Bible
But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Berean Literal Bible
But it shall not be thus among you. Instead, whoever desires to become great among you will be your servant,

King James Bible
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

New King James Version
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

New American Standard Bible
But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant;

NASB 1995
“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

NASB 1977
“But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

Legacy Standard Bible
But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

Amplified Bible
But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,

Christian Standard Bible
But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

American Standard Version
But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister;

Contemporary English Version
But don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.

English Revised Version
But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But that's not the way it's going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.

Good News Translation
This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest;

International Standard Version
That's not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Majority Standard Bible
But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

NET Bible
But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,

New Heart English Bible
But it will not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

Webster's Bible Translation
But so it shall not be among you: but whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

Weymouth New Testament
but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant;

World English Bible
But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
but not so will it be among you; but whoever may will to become great among you, he will be your minister,

Berean Literal Bible
But it shall not be thus among you. Instead, whoever desires to become great among you will be your servant,

Young's Literal Translation
but not so shall it be among you; but whoever may will to become great among you, he shall be your minister,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it shall not be so among you: but whoever should wish to be great among you, shall be your attendant:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater, shall be your minister.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But it is not to be this way among you. Instead, whoever would become greater shall be your minister;

New American Bible
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

New Revised Standard Version
But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Let not this be so among you; but he who wishes to be great among you, let him be a minister to you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But it will not be so among you, but whoever wants to be great among you will be a servant to you.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever desires to be great among you, shall be your minister;

Godbey New Testament
But it is not so among you: but whosoever may wish to be great among you, shall be your servant:

Haweis New Testament
But it shall not be so with you: but whosoever will be great among you let him be your servant:

Mace New Testament
but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant;

Weymouth New Testament
but it is not to be so among you. No, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant;

Worrell New Testament
but it is not so among you; but whosoever wishes to become great among you shall be your minister;

Worsley New Testament
But it shall not be so among you: but whoever would be great among you shall be your minister;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Request of James and John
…42So 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. 43But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 20:26
It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

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.

John 13:14-15
So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Philippians 2:5-7
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

1 Peter 5:3
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Matthew 23:11
The greatest among you shall be your servant.

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.

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

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

Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

Isaiah 53:11
After the anguish of His soul, 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.

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Treasury of Scripture

But so shall it not be among you: but whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

so.

John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

whosoever.

Mark 9:35
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 20:26,27
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; …

Matthew 23:8-12
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren…

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Mark 10

1. Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;
13. blesses the children that are brought unto him;
17. resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;
23. tells his disciples of the danger of riches;
28. promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;
32. foretells his death and resurrection;
35. bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;
46. and restores to Bartimaeus his sight.

Berean Study Bible

But it shall not be this way among you
This phrase marks a stark contrast between the worldly understanding of greatness and the kingdom principles Jesus is teaching. The Greek word for "not" (οὐχ) is emphatic, indicating a strong negation of the previous worldly model of leadership. Jesus is addressing His disciples, emphasizing that their community should operate differently from the secular world. Historically, the disciples were surrounded by Roman and Jewish leaders who wielded power through dominance and authority. Jesus is calling for a radical departure from this norm, urging His followers to adopt a counter-cultural approach to leadership and greatness.

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you
The word "whoever" (ὃς ἂν) is inclusive, suggesting that the path to greatness is open to all, not just a select few. The desire "to become great" (μέγας) is not condemned but redirected. In the Greco-Roman world, greatness was often associated with power, wealth, and social status. However, Jesus redefines greatness in the context of His kingdom. The historical context reveals that the disciples themselves were often caught in disputes about who among them was the greatest (Mark 9:34). Jesus acknowledges this desire but provides a new paradigm for achieving it.

must be your servant
The term "servant" (διάκονος) in Greek refers to one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master. It is the root of the English word "deacon," which in the early church context, referred to those who served the community. This concept of servanthood is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified it through His life and ministry. In the historical context of first-century Palestine, servants were considered lowly and without status. By using this term, Jesus flips the societal norms, teaching that true greatness in His kingdom is measured by one's willingness to serve others selflessly. This teaching is consistent with the broader scriptural narrative, where humility and service are exalted (Philippians 2:3-7). Jesus Himself is the ultimate model of this servanthood, as He came "not to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). This call to servanthood challenges believers to embody Christ-like humility and love in their interactions with others, reflecting the heart of the Gospel.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) Shall be your minister.--Substantially the same as in St. Matthew, but note in both verses the variation, "shall be your minister," "shall be servant," instead of "let him be."

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 43, 44. - In these words our Lord enjoins him who is raised above others to conduct himself modestly and humbly; so as not to lord it over those beneath him, but to consider for them and to consult their security and happiness, and so to conduct himself that he may appear to be rather their minister and servant than their lord; ever remembering the golden rule, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, even so do to them." At the same time, our Lord here teaches all alike, whether superiors or inferiors, by what way we should strive to reach heaven, so as to sit at the right or left hand of Christ in his kingdom, namely, by the way of humility. For those who are the lowliest and most humble here will be the greatest and most exalted there.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

it shall not be
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

this way
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

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.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Instead,
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

wants
θέλῃ (thelē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to become
γενέσθαι (genesthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
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.

great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

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.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

must be
ἔσται (estai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

servant,
διάκονος (diakonos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.

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NT Gospels: Mark 10:43 But it shall not be so among (Mar Mk Mr)