NOTES for Mar 9:35

This verse is one of the most difficult verses, and virtually at the same time one of the most significant declarations of the Lord Jesus Christ. His utility consists of the fact that these words give us the possibility of transforming arrogance and queer for honor proper to us in something that would not be sin. Actually, since Man wants to be better than the others so much, why not try to be better than others using the way indicated by the Lord Jesus? It is a way of service, a way of renunciation of our own glory and honor for the welfare of our neighbor. It is a well defined way in essence. The difficulty is that human determination is not always enough for following this way, so we need the Gracious help of Jesus.

It is also essential to listen attentively what the Lord really means. The New American Standard Bible translation does not give with exactness certain semantic nuances. The evangelist Marc uses the Greek word "eskhatos ", delivering Christ’s words “be last of all”. This Greek word means particularly "last" in the sense "of the smallest ", “the least honorable ", the least significant ". It has however some other significations, among which one of the most important is "extreme". This word has acquired a slangy character in our contemporary language, but especially this meaning is important for us: "Extreme" is the one who bears the consequences of other people behaviors, who sacrifices himself for others. It is effectively this signification that we attribute to Lord Jesus, Who according to His own word “came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many" as it is written in the next chapter of the book of Mark (Mark 10:45).

Two important radixes coincide here too, in the words "servant" and "serve" (diakonos in Greek). Thus, the Lord says: "Take example from Me, who wants to be first". Evangelist John supplements this thought with these other Jesus’ words: "if anyone serves Me, he must follow Me" (Jn 12:26). We follow Jesus and are His servants by serving others, by accepting the position of "extreme" and of least honorable.