Verse 35b indicates the way one can be the “greatest.” Swete1 rightly rejects the exegesis that considers verse 35b as a punishment for the person who want to be first. Swete refers to Matthew 23:8ff., Mark 10:42ff., and Luke 22:24ff. One could also point to Luke 14:8–11, where it appears that “being the last” can be a punishment as well as a free choice. The second possibility is meant in Mark 9:35 because also the word “servant” is used, which cannot be seen as an indication of punishment.2
35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”