Soon after the last mentioned event, there arose a discussion among the
apostles, as to who should have the highest rank in the administration
of the government of the Messiah’s kingdom, when it should be finally
triumphantly established. The question shows how pitiably deficient
they still were, in a proper understanding of the nature of the cause
to which they were devoted; but the details of this circumstance may be
deferred to a more appropriate place, under the lives of the persons,
who, by their claims, afterwards originated a similar discussion, in
connection with which this may be most properly mentioned. However, it
cannot be amiss to remark here, that the very fact of such a discussion
having arisen, shows, that no one supposed that, from the peculiar
distinctions already conferred on Peter, he was entitled to the
assumption of anything like _power_ over the rest of the twelve, or
that anything else than a peculiar regard of Christ for him, and a
confidence in his zeal and ability to advance the great cause, was
expressed in his late honorable and affectionate declaration to him.
The occurrence of this discussion is also a high and satisfactory proof
of Peter’s modest and unassuming disposition; for had he maintained
among the apostles the authority and rank which his Master’s decided
preference might seem to warrant, these high pretensions of the sons of
Zebedee would not have been thus put forward against one so secure in
Christ’s favor by high talents, and long habits of close intimacy.