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Mark 9:35

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 9:35 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 9:35 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
33And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way?
34But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who [was] the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them,
37Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he sat down, etc..] As their master, as one having authority; and in order to examine into this matter, and pass judgment upon it: and called the twelve; all the disciples, who though they might not be all engaged in this dispute, nor equally criminal, yet were all, possessed of the same notion; and therefore Christ calls them all unto him, what he had to say, being pertinent unto them all: and saith unto them, if any man desire to be first; to have the preeminence, and be in the chief place in the kingdom of the Messiah, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all: his pride and vanity shall be checked; his ambitious views shall be frustrated; instead of being first, he shall be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 18:1-5. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let him be the least of all - Let him abase himself the most. Mark 9:36”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:35 Jesus sat down, assuming the role of a teacher (see 4:1-2; 12:41; Matt 5:1; Luke 4:20; 5:3). True greatness in God’s Kingdom involves being the servant of everyone else, not the master, as Jesus would make clear by his own example in Mark 10:45.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“If: Mar 10:42-45; Pro 13:10; Jer 45:5; Mat 20:25-28; Luk 14:10, Luk 14:11, Luk 18:14; Jam 4:6 Mark 9:36”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 9 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification