Matthew 23:11
Matthew 23:11 in Multiple Translations
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
But let the greatest among you be your servant.
The greatest among you will be your servant.
But he that is greatest among you, let him be your seruant.
And the greater of you shall be your ministrant,
But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
But he that is greatest among you, shall be your servant.
He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant.
In contrast, everyone among you who wants God to consider them to be important must serve others as servants do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 23:11
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Matthew 23:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Greek Word Reference — Matthew 23:11
Study Notes — Matthew 23:11
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 23:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 23:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 23:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 23:11
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 23:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
- Sermons on Matthew 23:11
Context — Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
11The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 9:19 | Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. |
| 2 | Galatians 5:13 | 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. |
| 3 | John 13:14–15 | 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. |
| 4 | Mark 10:43–44 | But 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 must be the slave of all. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 4:5 | For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. |
| 6 | Luke 22:26–27 | 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. |
| 7 | Philippians 2:5–8 | 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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. |
| 8 | Matthew 20:26–27 | 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— |
| 9 | 2 Corinthians 11:23 | Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. |
Matthew 23:11 Summary
[Jesus is teaching us that true greatness is not about being in charge or having power, but about serving others with humility and love, as seen in Matthew 20:26-28. This means looking for ways to help and care for those around us, rather than seeking to be recognized or praised. By serving others, we are following Jesus' example, who came to serve and give His life for us, as stated in Matthew 20:28 and John 13:1-17. As we seek to serve others, we can remember that Jesus promises to exalt those who humble themselves, as seen in Matthew 23:12.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus mean by 'the greatest among you shall be your servant'?
Jesus is teaching that true greatness in His kingdom is not about power or status, but about serving others, as seen in Matthew 20:26-28 and Mark 9:35, where He emphasizes the importance of humility and serving one another.
How can I apply this verse to my daily life?
You can apply this verse by looking for opportunities to serve others, whether it's in your family, church, or community, and remembering that Jesus Himself came to serve, as stated in Matthew 20:28 and Philippians 2:5-8.
Is Jesus saying that we should never seek to lead or be in positions of authority?
No, Jesus is not saying that we should never lead, but rather that our leadership should be characterized by a servant's heart, as seen in 1 Peter 5:2-3, where elders are called to shepherd God's flock with humility and willingness to serve.
What is the relationship between humility and greatness in God's kingdom?
According to Jesus, humility is the path to true greatness, as seen in Matthew 23:12, where He says that whoever humbles themselves will be exalted, and in Luke 14:11, where He teaches that whoever humbles themselves will be lifted up.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can serve others in my daily life, and how can I make serving others a greater priority?
- How does my desire for recognition or praise hinder my ability to serve others with a humble heart?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to humble myself and become more of a servant, as Jesus teaches?
- How can I balance the need to lead or make decisions with the call to be a servant, and what does this look like in practice?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 23:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 23:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 23:11
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 23:11
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 23:11
Sermons on Matthew 23:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Preacher Jesus Need for the Ministry by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of dwelling with the king for his work rather than dwelling with the work for the king. He encourages listeners to rely on the |
|
Freedom Cd - Track 7 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal testimony of how they found hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. They emphasize the importance of coming to Jesus with our si |
|
(Basics) 36. Jesus Did God's Will by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the practicality of the Bible for Christian living. He highlights Romans 8:3-4, which states that the law could not make believers pure insid |
|
Don't Despise the Day of Small Endings by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Zechariah chapter 4 and encourages the audience to find strength and courage in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes the importanc |
|
(The Spiritual Man) the Law of Blessings by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, Brother Denny discusses the concept of the law of blessings in the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of putting one's will into following God's laws and commands. |
|
How Do I Humble Myself? (Part 2) by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that greatness does not require being the best, smartest, or most spiritual. Instead, greatness comes from becoming a servant of others. The |
|
The Day Jesus Came by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience where he was confronted by the Lord about his happiness and the material possessions in his life. The speaker realizes that |






