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 KJV)
Who Is the Greatest?
He rebukes his disciples for magnifying themselves. When he came to Capernaum, he privately asked his disciples what they were arguing about along the way (Mark 9:33). He knew very well what the dispute was, but he wanted them to confess their fault and folly in it.
We must all expect to be called to account by our Lord Jesus for what passes while we are on the way in this life. We will be called to account particularly about our conversations among ourselves, for by our words we will be justified or condemned. Our disputes, especially, will be reviewed, and we will be held accountable for them. Of all disputes, Christ will certainly reckon with his disciples for disputes about precedence and superiority: that was the subject of the debate here—who should be the greatest (Mark 9:34).
Nothing could be more contrary to the two great laws of Christ’s kingdom—humility and love—than desiring worldly preferment and disputing about it. This temper he continually corrected, because it arose from a mistaken view of his kingdom, as if it were worldly, and because it tended directly to debase the honor and corrupt the purity of his gospel, and he foresaw it would be a great harm to the church.
They were willing to cover their fault (Mark 9:34); they remained silent. As they had not asked (Mark 9:32) because they were ashamed of their ignorance, here they did not answer because they were ashamed of their pride. He was willing to amend this fault and bring them to a better attitude; he sat down, called the twelve to him, and said:
That ambition and desire for dignity and dominion, instead of gaining them advancement in his kingdom, would only delay it: “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last” (Mark 9:35); he who exalts himself will be humbled, and pride brings people low. There is no preferment under Christ without an obligation to more labor and condescension; “If anyone desires to be first, he must be the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Those who are most humble and self-denying most resemble Christ and will be most tenderly owned by him. He taught them this with a sign: he took a child in his arms, free of pride and ambition. “Whoever receives one like this child receives me. Those of a humble, meek, and mild disposition are those I will own, countenance, and encourage others to do so too; and whatever is done to them will be taken as done to me—and to my Father who sent me—and will be rewarded” (Mark 9:36-37).