Lc 9,46-50: Quem é o maior? O uso do nome de Jesus
Διαλογισμός (“thought,” “question,” “discussion”) is better understood as a discussion rather than an argument. The word usually has a negative connotation in Luke, and locates the issue within the heart. Just as the devil works on human beings from the outside (cf. 22:3*), the discussion here approaches (εἰσῆλθεν, “enters among”) the disciples from outside, as an objective, almost personalized being, as it were. It is an unavoidable event, but also an internal matter, since human beings share responsibility for its effect on them.
Εἰσῆλθεν δὲ διαλογισμὸς ἐν αὐτοῖς,
can refer to having the greatest authority, deserving the most preferential treatment, being most valuable, or being most favored by God (cf. note on Mark 9:34). Any such comparison, however, was wrong.
The question about who was the greatest among the apostles came up more than once (22:24). Jesus knew the competitive pride that fostered the argument and was quick to point out that, spiritually, whoever was least (truly humble as a disciple of Christ) was great.
Graeco-Roman society regarded children as insignificant. Jesus calls the child to illustrate the reversal of values in God’s kingdom (compare 13:30; 14:12–14; Matt 18:2
Very small children consumed resources, required constant attention, and needed to be protected. However, as they grew, children could help with work, provide for the family, and even defend their town in battle.
For the significance of this dialogue between John and Jesus, some commentators (see Bovon 2002: 396) have pointed to the relevance of the story of Eldad and Medad in Num. 11:24–30, where Joshua tried to stop these two from prophesying because they were not part of the seventy who received the Spirit. Moses, however, said, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them” (Num. 11:29). A similar concern is expressed in this short dialogue, and Jesus’ response likewise prevents John from stopping those who are not within the inner circle from carrying out their work.