* When.
   That there were among the Jews of these times many disputes
   about seats at banquets, we learn both from Josephus and the
   Rabbis; nor were these matters unattended to by the Greeks and
   Romans.  Similar admonitions to this of our Lord, also occur
   in the Rabbinical writers.  Rabbi Akiba said, Go two or three
   seats lower than the place that belongs to thee, and sit there
   till they say unto to thee, Go up higher; but do not take the
   uppermost seat, lest they say unto thee, Come down: for it is
   better they should say unto thee, Go up, go up than they
   should say, Go down, go down.

  Pr 25:6,7