But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
In this passage, two of Jesus's closest disciples — James and John — had just requested the two most honored positions in Jesus's coming kingdom. The other ten disciples were furious when they found out. Jesus gathers all of them and points to how power worked in the Roman world they lived in: rulers 'lord it over' people, meaning they use authority to dominate and control, and high officials make sure everyone knows exactly who's in charge. Jesus is setting up a sharp contrast — this is how worldly power works, and what he's about to say in the following verses will be completely different. This verse captures the model Jesus is preparing to reject.
Jesus, I see the power game more clearly in others than in myself. Show me where I'm playing it — the subtle places I reach for status, recognition, or control. Teach me a different way to lead and to show up. Not lording over anything, but serving. Amen.
Watch any room long enough and you'll see it — the subtle jockeying for position, the name-dropping, the quiet need to be the person everyone defers to. We're wired for status. And this wasn't just a problem with Roman emperors. Ten men who had walked with Jesus for years, heard him teach, watched him heal — they were still seething because two of their friends had tried to get ahead of them. The power game ran deep, even in the inner circle. Jesus doesn't shame them here. He doesn't launch into a lecture. He just points at the world and says — you see how that works? As if naming the machinery clearly is the first step to not being captured by it anymore. Once you recognize the ego underneath the leadership title, the insecurity behind the need to be obeyed, the hollowness of authority used for its own sake — it loses some of its pull. Where in your life do you notice yourself reaching for the seat at the head of the table? And what is that reaching actually about?
Why do you think Jesus starts by describing how Gentile rulers behave, rather than immediately telling his disciples what to do differently?
When have you felt the pull toward status, recognition, or being the most important person in a room — even in subtle, socially acceptable ways?
Is the desire for influence always wrong, or is there a version of it that's healthy? Where is the line between leading well and 'lording it over' others?
How does the way you use authority — as a parent, a boss, a friend, or even just the loudest voice in a group — reflect or quietly contradict what Jesus is pointing at here?
What is one relationship or role in your life where you could intentionally step back from needing to be in control this week, and what would that actually cost you?
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Luke 22:27
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:3
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Luke 22:25
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
John 13:17
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.
Mark 9:35
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:12
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them].
AMP
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
ESV
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and [their] great men exercise authority over them.
NASB
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
NIV
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
NKJV
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
NLT
So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads.
MSG