What Jesus Said About Leadership & Management (21 Teachings)

Jesus teaches with authority unlike the scribes.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:28–29; Mark 1:22

King James Version

Matthew 7:28–29

²⁸And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
²⁹For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:22

²²And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Do not dominate others as Gentile rulers do.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:25–28; Mark 10:42–45; Luke 22:25–27

King James Version

Matthew 20:25–28

²⁵But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
²⁸Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:42–45

⁴²But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
⁴⁵For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:25–27

²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

The greatest should become the servant.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:26–27; 23:11; Mark 10:43–44; Luke 22:26

King James Version

Matthew 20:26–27

²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Matthew 23:11

¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 10:43–44

⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Luke 22:26

²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

A servant is not greater than his master.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:24–25; John 13:16; 15:20

King James Version

Matthew 10:24–25

²⁴The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
²⁵It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

John 13:16

¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 15:20

²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Whoever wants to be first should become servant of all.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:26–27; Mark 9:35; 10:43–44

King James Version

Matthew 20:26–27

²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Mark 9:35

³⁵And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mark 10:43–44

⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

The Son of Man models leadership by serving and giving his life.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45

King James Version

Matthew 20:28

²⁸Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

⁴⁵For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Remain watchful and faithful while the master is away.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:45–51; Mark 13:33–37; Luke 12:35–48

King James Version

Matthew 24:45–51

⁴⁵Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
⁴⁶Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁷Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
⁴⁸But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
⁴⁹And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
⁵⁰The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
⁵¹And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 13:33–37

³³Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
³⁴For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
³⁶Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 12:35–48

³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
⁴¹Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
⁴²And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
⁴³Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁴Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
⁴⁵But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
⁴⁷And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Faithful stewardship is rewarded with greater responsibility.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17

King James Version

Matthew 25:21, 23

²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
²³His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 19:17

¹⁷And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Feed and tend Jesus' sheep.

Read the Scripture John 21:15–17

King James Version

John 21:15–17

¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Leaders are brothers under one Teacher and one Father rather than a status caste.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:8–10

King James Version

Matthew 23:8–10

⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Religious leaders become blind guides when tradition displaces God's command.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:12–14

King James Version

Matthew 15:12–14

¹²Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
¹³But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
¹⁴Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Scribes and Pharisees may sit in Moses' seat, but their hypocrisy should not be imitated.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:1–3

King James Version

Matthew 23:1–3

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Religious leaders are condemned for laying heavy burdens on others without helping carry them.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46

King James Version

Matthew 23:4

⁴For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Luke 11:46

⁴⁶And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

The wicked tenants teach judgment on leaders who reject God's messengers and finally his Son.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19

King James Version

Matthew 21:33–46

³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
³⁴And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
³⁷But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
³⁸But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
³⁹And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
⁴⁰When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
⁴³Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
⁴⁴And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
⁴⁵And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
⁴⁶But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Mark 12:1–12

¹And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
²And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
³And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
⁴And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
⁵And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
⁶Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
⁷But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
⁸And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
⁹What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
¹⁰And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
¹¹This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
¹²And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Luke 20:9–19

⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
¹⁰And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
¹¹And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
¹²And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
¹³Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
¹⁴But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
¹⁵So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
¹⁶He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
¹⁸Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
¹⁹And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

The parable of the pounds teaches faithful stewardship during the king's absence and accountability at his return.

Read the Scripture Luke 19:11–27

King James Version

Luke 19:11–27

¹¹And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
¹²He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
¹³And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
¹⁵And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
¹⁶Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
¹⁷And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
¹⁸And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
¹⁹And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
²⁰And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
²¹For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
²²And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
²³Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
²⁴And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
²⁵(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
²⁶For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
²⁷But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

False shepherds enter illegitimately and harm the flock.

Read the Scripture John 10:1, 8, 10

King James Version

John 10:1, 8, 10

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

A hired hand abandons sheep under danger because he does not truly own them.

Read the Scripture John 10:12–13

King James Version

John 10:12–13

¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus serves disciples in the posture of a household servant.

Read the Scripture John 13:3–17

King James Version

John 13:3–17

³Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
⁴He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
⁵After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
⁶Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
⁸Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
⁹Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
¹⁰Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
¹¹For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
¹²So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
¹³Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
¹⁷If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Jesus is courageous before rulers and accusers.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:57–68; John 18:19–38

King James Version

Matthew 26:57–68

⁵⁷And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
⁵⁸But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
⁵⁹Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
⁶⁰But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
⁶¹And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
⁶²And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
⁶³But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
⁶⁴Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
⁶⁵Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
⁶⁶What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
⁶⁷Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
⁶⁸Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

John 18:19–38

¹⁹The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
²⁰Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
²¹Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
²²And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
²³Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
²⁴Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
²⁵And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
²⁶One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
²⁷Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
²⁸Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
²⁹Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
³⁰They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
³¹Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
³²That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
³³Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
³⁴Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
³⁵Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
³⁶Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
³⁸Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Jesus speaks with authority while remaining submitted to the Father.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:28–29; John 5:19, 30

King James Version

Matthew 7:28–29

²⁸And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
²⁹For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

John 5:19, 30

¹⁹Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
³⁰I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Jesus' leadership is self-giving service rather than domination.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:25–28; Mark 10:42–45

King James Version

Matthew 20:25–28

²⁵But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
²⁸Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:42–45

⁴²But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
⁴³But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
⁴⁴And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
⁴⁵For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

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What Jesus said about Leadership & Management

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What Jesus said about Leadership & Management

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