Commenting on the social conditions of that time, the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament explains: “In every affair, the question constantly arose who was the greater, and according to each his due honour was an important matter which caused constant concern. ”
در کتابی آمده است که در جامعهٔ یهودیان بسیار مهم بود چه کسی بیشتر مستحق احترام است و همیشه به این فکر بودند در حد مقام هر شخص به او احترام بگذارند .‏