What does Luke 22:28 mean?

Jesus is talking about good leadership. The disciples have been arguing—again—about who is greatest. Jesus responds with a warning that leaders in the worldly system strive for power and then abuse it. Even those who do good exult in their title of "benefactor." The disciples should not look at leadership like that. They should look at Jesus' example: He who welcomes children and washes feet (Luke 18:15–16; John 13:1–17).

They know Jesus' leadership style because they have been with Him. They saw His hometown reject and try to murder Him (Luke 4:16–30). Countless times, they have seen the religious leaders try to best Him—even arrest Him. They know Herod Antipas wants to kill Him (Luke 13:31). They are slowly realizing that Jesus will die.

The disciples will flee when the soldiers arrest Jesus; this doesn't erase their belief in Him. They have traveled with and learned from Jesus for three years. They dropped everything when Jesus called, and they will be rewarded. They will rule; what they will rule is up to God, not their own "greatness." But they will eat at the table of the king and judge Israel (Luke 22:29–30).

The Twelve are not Jesus' only disciples. Shortly after Jesus sent out the Twelve to spread the news of the coming of the kingdom of God, He commissioned seventy-two with the same purpose and the same power. They were to preach the coming kingdom of God, to heal infirmities, and to cast out demons (Luke 9:1–6; 10:1–12). After Jesus' ascension, one hundred and twenty people will cram into a room in Jerusalem, waiting for the Holy Spirit. At least two of those present are men who were with Jesus from His baptism to after His resurrection; when Judas's place needs to be filled, they have options (Acts 1:12–26).