³⁴ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.^(A)

Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not welcome us.

The Dispute about Greatness

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.^{(A) 25} But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.^{(B) 26} But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.^{(C) 27} For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.^(D)

²⁸ “You are those who have stood by me in my trials,^{(E) 29} and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom,^{(F) 30} so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.^(G)

⁵⁰ Salt is good, but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?^[a] Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”^(A)

³ Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.^(A)

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.^{(A) 4} Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.^{(B) 5} Let the same mind be in you that was^[a] in Christ Jesus,^(C)

¹⁰ love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

True Greatness

⁴⁶ An argument arose among them concerning which one of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷ But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the least among all of you is the greatest.”^(A)

²¹ And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”^{(A) 22} But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”^[a] They said to him, “We are able.”^{(B) 23} He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”^(C)

²⁴ When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers.^(D)