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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/40_Mat_23_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:11 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The greatest among you shall be your servant." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/23-10.htm" title="Matthew 23:10">◄</a> Matthew 23:11 <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm" title="Matthew 23:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The greatest among you must be a servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But the greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the greatest of you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But the greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But the greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The person who is greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The greatest one among you must be your servant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The person who is greatest among you must be your servant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he that is greatest among you, shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the greater of you will be your servant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But the greatest among you will be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the greater of you shall be your ministrant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the greater of you shall be your servant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever is greater among you shall be your minister.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The greatest among you must be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The greatest among you will be your servant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But he who is greatest among you, let him be your minister.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But he who is great among you will be a servant to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And the greatest among you shall be your minister.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And the great of you shall be your deacon.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But the greater of you shall be your minister.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But let him that is greatest among you be your minister: and whosoever will exalt himself shall be abased,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6766" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizōn (Adj-NMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greatest</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">among you</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estai (V-FIM-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">shall be</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/1249.htm" title="1249: diakonos (N-NMS) -- Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.">servant.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">12</span>For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-35.htm">Mark 9:35</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-26.htm">Luke 22:26-27</a></span><br />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. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-14.htm">John 13:14-15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a></span><br />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— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19</a></span><br />Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a></span><br />Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-10.htm">James 4:10</a></span><br />Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16-18</a></span><br />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. / If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Isaiah 53:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a></span><br />Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-33.htm">Proverbs 15:33</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26,27</a></b></br> But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43,44</a></b></br> But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/22-26.htm">Luke 22:26,27</a></b></br> But ye <i>shall</i> not <i>be</i> so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/18-4.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/matthew/22-38.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Ministrant</a> <a href="/matthew/20-28.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/mark/4-32.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/acts/13-5.htm">Ministrant</a> <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The greatest among you</b><br>This phrase challenges the conventional understanding of greatness. In the cultural context of the time, greatness was often associated with power, wealth, and social status. Jesus redefines greatness, emphasizing humility and service over authority and dominance. This teaching contrasts with the Pharisees' behavior, who sought honor and recognition (<a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5-7</a>). The concept of greatness is also addressed in <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a>, where Jesus explains that true greatness comes from serving others, reflecting His own mission.<p><b>shall be</b><br>The use of "shall be" indicates a definitive statement, not merely a suggestion. It implies a future reality that is certain and ordained by God. This aligns with the biblical principle that God's kingdom operates on different values than worldly systems. The certainty of this statement underscores the importance of adopting a servant's heart as a non-negotiable aspect of Christian discipleship.<p><b>your servant</b><br>The term "servant" here is translated from the Greek word "diakonos," which means one who serves or ministers. This is the same root word from which we get "deacon," a role of service within the early church (<a href="/acts/6.htm">Acts 6:1-6</a>). Jesus Himself exemplified this role, as seen in <a href="/john/13.htm">John 13:1-17</a>, where He washes the disciples' feet, demonstrating that leadership in His kingdom is marked by humility and service. This teaching is a call to emulate Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowds and His disciples, teaching them about true greatness in the Kingdom of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, they are being instructed on the values of humility and servanthood.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees_and_scribes.htm">The Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time, often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and desire for status and recognition.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this discourse, a central place in Jesus' ministry and the heart of Jewish religious life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven.htm">The Kingdom of Heaven</a></b><br>The spiritual realm where God's will is fulfilled, characterized by values contrary to worldly standards, such as servanthood over authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/true_greatness_defined.htm">True Greatness Defined</a></b><br>In the Kingdom of God, greatness is measured by one's willingness to serve others, not by status or power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/servanthood_as_leadership.htm">Servanthood as Leadership</a></b><br>Jesus redefines leadership as servanthood, challenging believers to lead by example and humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/counter-cultural_values.htm">Counter-Cultural Values</a></b><br>The call to servanthood is counter to worldly values that prioritize self-promotion and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/following_christ's_example.htm">Following Christ's Example</a></b><br>Believers are called to emulate Jesus' example of humility and service, recognizing that He is the ultimate servant leader.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_action.htm">Humility in Action</a></b><br>Practical acts of service, such as helping those in need and putting others first, are tangible expressions of this teaching.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_in_the_gospel_of_the_hebrews.htm">What does the Bible say about societal hierarchy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/define_'bondservant.'.htm">What is the definition of a bondservant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'first_will_be_last'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by "first will be last"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_societal_hierarchy.htm">What does the Bible say about societal hierarchy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">He that is greatest among you.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">the greater of you.</span> The words admit of a two-fold meaning. Either (1), as in <a href="/mark/9-35.htm" title="And he sat down, and called the twelve, and said to them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.">Mark 9:35</a>, they assert a law of retribution--the man who seeks to be greatest shall be the servant of all; or (2) they point out the other law, of which our Lord's own life was the highest illustration--that he who is really greatest will show his greatness, not in asserting it, but in a life of ministration. The latter interpretation seems to give on the whole the best meaning.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But he that is greatest...your servant;</span> <span class="greek">διάκονος</span>: <span class="accented">minister</span> (see <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26, 27</a>). It was there said to the apostles alone; here it is spoken more publicly to emphasize the contrast between Christian humility and Pharisaical pride and vanity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">The</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">greatest</span><br /><span class="grk">μείζων</span> <span class="translit">(meizōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> </span><span class="str2">Large, great, in the widest sense. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">among you</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall be</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔσται</span> <span class="translit">(estai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">servant.</span><br /><span class="grk">διάκονος</span> <span class="translit">(diakonos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1249.htm">Strong's 1249: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-11.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:11 But he who is greatest among you (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>