Mar 9:33-37 | NETfull | STEP | Then they came to Capernaum. After Jesus was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

Mark 9:33-37

Questions About the Greatest

33 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} they came to Capernaum. ^{▼▼ For location see Map1-D2; Map2-C3; Map3-B2.} After Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes ^{▼▼ This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).} one of these little children ^{▼▼ Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.} in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”