In response to their request for the seats of power and authority, Jesus reminded them that they were thinking of leadership in a pagan (non-Christian) way: The “rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them” (Mark 10:42, emphasis mine). The key word here is katakurieuō—to “lord it over”—which is the same word Peter used when he rebuked harsh pastors in 1 Peter 5:3 (more on this later in this chapter).16 Essentially, Jesus understood that those in positions of authority are prone to domineer those they lead.
