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Luke 22:26
ESV But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
NIV But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
NASB But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
CSB It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.
NLT But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
KJV But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
NKJV But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

What does Luke 22:26 mean?

It's the Passover meal: the Last Supper. Jesus has given the bread and the wine, inaugurating the new covenant. He then warns the disciples that one of them will betray Him. Disturbed, they discuss who it could be, even doubting themselves (Luke 22:14–23; Mark 14:19).

But now the disciples are arguing—again—over who is the greatest. Some sources say this is a common thing for students to do. Jesus doesn't treat it as harmless posturing; He wants to go deeper. He tells them to stop acting like abusive Gentile "benefactors" who lord over people in return for public accolades. Instead, they are to be servants (Luke 22:24–27).

In John, however, He gives an object lesson. He removes His cloak, ties a towel around His waist, and washes the disciples' feet (John 13:3–5). He then gives an impassioned explanation: He is their Teacher and Lord, and yet He serves. They are to follow His example by dedicating their lives not just to spreading His message but to doing so with a servant heart. If they do such things, they will be blessed (John 13:12–17).

In the chiasm—the mirror-like structure—of this chapter, the core of the message is in two parts. Luke 22:24–25 describes the worldly leader: the one who longs to be the "greatest" and acts like a Gentile. Luke 22:26–30 describes the Christlike leader: one who sacrifices for those in his charge. In return, God will assign the servant-leader greater authority.
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