There was "a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest." This contention, carried on in the presence of Christ, grieved and wounded Him. The disciples clung to their favorite idea that Christ would assert His power, and take His position on the throne of David. And in heart each still longed for the highest place in the 644 kingdom. They had placed their own estimate upon themselves and upon one another, and, instead of regarding their brethren as more worthy, they had placed themselves first. The request of James and John to sit on the right and left of Christ's throne had excited the indignation of the others. That the two brothers should presume to ask for the highest position so stirred the ten that alienation threatened. They felt that they were misjudged, that their fidelity and talents were not appreciated. Judas was the most severe upon James and John.

Der opstod også en ordstrid iblandt dem om, hvem af dem der skulle regnes for den største. Denne strid, der blev ført i Kristi nærværelse, både bedrøvede og sårede ham. Disciplene klamrede sig til deres yndlingstanke: at Kristus skulle hævde sin magt og tage sæde på Davids trone. Og hver især af dem higede i sit hjerte efter den øverste plads i Riget. De havde foretaget deres egen beregning af sig selv og af hinanden, og i stedet for at betragte deres brødre som mere værdige havde de sat sig selv forrest. Jakobs og Johannes anmodning om at måtte sidde på højre og venstre side af Kristi trone havde vakt de andres harme. At de to brødre skulle driste sig til at udbede sig de øverste stillinger, ophidsede i den grad de til at det truede med en splittelse. De følte, at de blev bedømt forkert, at deres trofasthed og evner ikke blev påskønnet. Judas var den, der dømte Jakob og Johannes hårdest.