And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Ver. 25. The kings of the Gentiles, &c.] In striving for precedence, the disciples showed themselves but Gentiles, who stand upon their birth and privileges.
Exercise lordship over them] As he did with a witness (of whom Melancthon writeth) that wrung money from his miserable subjects, by knocking out their teeth, one by one, till he had what he would. (Joh. Maulii, loc. com.)
Are called benefactors] Nedibim, bountiful princes,Psalms 47:9; Psalms 83:12. Such a one was Titus, son of Vespasian, who never sent away any suitor sorrowful; and was the author of this brave speech, Hodie non regnavimus, quia neminem affecimus beneficio: We seem not to have reigned this day, because we have done no man a good turn today.