9:46–48 Because Luke has omitted geographical references (to Galilee in v. 43; cf. Mark 9:30; to Capernaum in v. 46; cf. Mark 9:33), the question about greatness and the question about rival disciples (vv. 49–50) are more closely linked to the transfiguration and the larger questions of who is Jesus and what does it mean to be his disciple? It may be that their concern with greatness prevented the disciples from comprehending Jesus’ statement about his fate. Jesus summarizes the essence of Christian fellowship in v. 48. Everyone, even the weak and lowly, is to be considered great. To welcome the insignificant and the humble is to welcome Jesus himself. This idea is part of Jesus’ unusual and unexpected criteria of evaluation, criteria which were unacceptable to many of the religious author…