Bible Strands
Luke 22:25
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples during the Last Supper, directly responding to their dispute over who should be considered the greatest. He addresses them at the moment they seek status, contrasting worldly power with his forthcoming standard.
The words — βασιλεῖς (basileis) translates literally to “kings,” and ἐθνῶν (ethnōn) means “Gentiles,” identifying the cultural model Jesus references. The text states that these rulers “lord it over” their subjects and “call themselves benefactors,” recording their practice without validation.
The thread — Jesus repeats this exact observation in Matthew 20:25 and Mark 10:41 when addressing parallel disputes about greatness among his followers. The parallel accounts preserve the same historical moment and the consistent contrast between secular domination and his disciples’ calling.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to abandon coercive control and self-justifying titles in any form of leadership. It demands a concrete shift toward serving others rather than exercising the hierarchical authority observed in the surrounding culture.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Cross-references
- Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.
- Mark 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.