What does Luke 22:26 mean?
It's the Passover meal: the Last Supper. Jesus has given the bread and the wine, inaugurating the new covenant. He then warns the disciples that one of them will betray Him. Disturbed, they discuss who it could be, even doubting themselves (Luke 22:14–23; Mark 14:19).But now the disciples are arguing—again—over who is the greatest. Some sources say this is a common thing for students to do. Jesus doesn't treat it as harmless posturing; He wants to go deeper. He tells them to stop acting like abusive Gentile "benefactors" who lord over people in return for public accolades. Instead, they are to be servants (Luke 22:24–27).
In John, however, He gives an object lesson. He removes His cloak, ties a towel around His waist, and washes the disciples' feet (John 13:3–5). He then gives an impassioned explanation: He is their Teacher and Lord, and yet He serves. They are to follow His example by dedicating their lives not just to spreading His message but to doing so with a servant heart. If they do such things, they will be blessed (John 13:12–17).
In the chiasm—the mirror-like structure—of this chapter, the core of the message is in two parts. Luke 22:24–25 describes the worldly leader: the one who longs to be the "greatest" and acts like a Gentile. Luke 22:26–30 describes the Christlike leader: one who sacrifices for those in his charge. In return, God will assign the servant-leader greater authority.
Luke 22:24–30 is the heart of Luke 22. The disciples have a choice: will they grasp for worldly power like the Gentiles or will they strive to be servant-leaders like their Messiah? New covenant leadership in God's kingdom is service. The disciples' self-involvement fits perfectly between Jesus' warnings of Judas's betrayal (Luke 22:21–23) and Peter's denials (Luke 22:31–34). Some scholars suggest this exchange provides a springboard for Jesus to wash the disciples' feet in a demonstration of servant leadership (John 13:1–17). This passage contains information unique to this gospel.
Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.
