The Disciples are described several times as arguing who was the greatest of  Jesus' followers.  

Many if not most people seem naturally to be that way. They want to know who is in charge and who takes his place if that person losses that position.

Jesus used these disputes to teach that his Kingdom was not that way. Just before the Last Supper he washed the Disciples' feet, an act of service that was assigned to only the lowliest household servant. He made the point that he was not establishing a kingdom where one person held rank over another, at least not in the normal way that men think of rank. The greatest in this Kingdom was the one who most humbly served others. Jesus demonstrated this further when he went to the Cross to take on the sins of the World.

Unfortunately, ... Religious leaders often miss this point. They establish hierarchies and place men in positions of honor and power over other men.  The Da Vinci Code claims that it was intended for Mary Magdalene to hold the highest rank instead of Peter.  Jesus taught that his Kingdom would be one of servants, not lords.  Religious leaders who dress in magnificent garments, give and receive titles and rank, and glorify one another miss the point, just as Peter and the other Apostles did.