Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that among the Gentiles those who are considered rulers lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
The Lord first describes the way authority works in the world. In the pagan understanding, greatness is often expressed by ruling, commanding, and subjecting others to one’s will. This word does not mean that every authority is evil in itself, but it exposes a widespread form of the sinful use of authority. In the world, people are often considered great to the extent that they can rule over others. Christ sets this standard before the disciples in order to show immediately that among His followers it must not be so.