Mk 9:35b ... "If anyone desires to be first, ..."

The third phrase has these 5 dialog words ... "Ei tis thelei prōtos einai" ("If anyone desires first to be, ..."). This is an if-then statement which means we are dealing with a hypothetical scenario.

The 5 dialog words are bottom up. This hypothetical diagram shows one generic disciple "desiring to be first." The first 3 words (If anyone desires), are tangent to the 2 triangles tangent to this disciple who wants to be set above the other eleven. The last 2 words (first to be), are tangent to Jesus and the triangle in which he sits above the twelve. The geometry of the diagram is now prepared for the 6 word then statement.