The Meaning of Matthew 23:11 Explained

Matthew 23:11

KJV: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

YLT: And the greater of you shall be your ministrant,

Darby: But the greatest of you shall be your servant.

ASV: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  he that is greatest  among you  shall be  your  servant. 

What does Matthew 23:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 23:1-12 - Humbling The Self-Exalted
These words were addressed to the disciples and the crowds that had gathered around. The Jewish religious leaders divorced morality and religion, and insisted that men should respect their office, whatever might be their personal character. The craving for this has been the temptation and bane of Christ's ministers in every age.
But how evidently our Lord condemns clerical and priestly assumption! With the two-edged sword, which pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, He cuts between the professions and performances of these men. No more awful words were ever spoken! How true is Matthew 23:4! The hypocrite always spares himself, but is merciless in his demands on others. The true servant of God never exacts these titles as a rightful homage, or as indicating either superiority or special sanctity. We all have one Master and one Father; and, though our talents greatly differ, we stand on an absolute equality so far as saving grace is concerned. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 23

1  Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5  His disciples must beware of their ambition
13  He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34  and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem

What do the individual words in Matthew 23:11 mean?

- And the greatest among you will be your servant
δὲ μείζων ὑμῶν ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μείζων  the  greatest 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular, Comparative
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
ὑμῶν  among  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἔσται  will  be 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ὑμῶν  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
διάκονος  servant 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάκονος  
Sense: one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.