Luke 9:46

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Complete Jewish Bible:

An argument arose among the talmidim as to which of them might be the greatest.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

American Standard Version:

And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G1161} there arose^{G1525} a reasoning^{G1261} among^{G1722} them^{G846}, which^{{G5101}{G302}} of them^{G846} should be^{G1498} greatest^{G3187}.

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Commentary for Luke 9:46

Luke 9:46 captures a moment of human fallibility amidst the disciples of Jesus. The verse reads, "Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest." This passage is set during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, a time when his followers were still grappling with the profound implications of his teachings and the nature of the Kingdom he proclaimed.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the societal norms and expectations of ancient Palestine, where hierarchical structures were the norm and status was a significant concern. The disciples, like many of their contemporaries, anticipated an earthly Messiah who would establish a kingdom in the traditional sense, with positions of power and authority to be distributed among his followers. Their discussion about greatness reflects this mindset, as they anticipated roles within Jesus' anticipated reign.

The themes present in this verse include ambition, misunderstanding, and the human inclination towards pride and position. Despite Jesus' repeated emphasis on servant leadership, humility, and the reversal of worldly expectations—teachings that would have been counter-cultural—the disciples still found themselves entangled in a debate over status. This moment serves as a stark contrast to the selflessness Jesus embodied and taught, highlighting the disciples' struggle to embrace a new paradigm of leadership and greatness defined by service and sacrifice.

In a broader sense, Luke 9:46 underscores the transformative challenge of the Gospel, which calls believers to a radical reorientation of values and priorities. It also foreshadows the ongoing tension within the early Church and beyond, as followers of Christ have continually had to reconcile the call to humility with the ever-present human desire for recognition and authority. This verse serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for believers to align their aspirations with the teachings of Jesus, who declared that true greatness is found in serving others (Mark 10:43-45).

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1525
   There are 186 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰσέρχομαι
   Transliteration: eisérchomai
   Pronunciation: ice-er'-khom-ahee
   Description: from εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through).
   
3. Strong's Number: G1261
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διαλογισμός
   Transliteration: dialogismós
   Pronunciation: dee-al-og-is-mos'
   Description: from διαλογίζομαι; discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate:--dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G302
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄν
   Transliteration: án
   Pronunciation: an
   Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1498
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴην
   Transliteration: eíēn
   Pronunciation: i'-ane
   Description: optative (i.e. English subjunctive) present of εἰμί (including the other person); might (could, would, or should) be:--mean, + perish, should be, was, were.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3187
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μείζων
   Transliteration: meízōn
   Pronunciation: mide'-zone
   Description: irregular comparative of μέγας; larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age):--elder, greater(-est), more.